Top US and Chinese officials have opened high-level talks in New York as Washington and Beijing work to prepare the ground for a major meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng began discussions on Sunday at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also taking part in the negotiations.
The talks come just days before Trump is expected to host Xi at the White House on September 24, with trade, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and the future of the two countries’ economic relationship expected to dominate discussions.
Bessent said the New York meeting was intended to prepare the ground for the leaders’ encounter, describing the discussions as “focused, fulsome and constructive talks” that would “set the stage for our leaders’ meeting.”
One of the most pressing issues is the existing US-China trade truce, which is scheduled to expire on November 10. Officials are also expected to address the flow of Chinese rare-earth magnets and other critical minerals that are essential to several US industries, including advanced technology and semiconductor manufacturing.
Artificial intelligence has also emerged as a major issue on the agenda. Bessent said the United States was prepared to discuss “shared risks” associated with AI, while maintaining that Washington remains the global leader in the technology.
“The United States remains the leader in AI,” Bessent said in a statement ahead of the talks, adding that Washington was open to discussions aimed at “avoiding shared risks and avoiding bifurcation of our two systems.”
The AI discussions could include possible safeguards around powerful models, particularly following reports of security breaches involving AI systems. US officials have also been examining the implications of China’s growing presence in the development and deployment of AI technology.
Rare-earth supplies remain another sensitive issue because the minerals and magnets are widely used in advanced technologies and industrial production. US officials have raised concerns about the adequacy of supplies reaching American manufacturers.
The New York discussions are part of a broader series of engagements between Washington and Beijing over the past 16 months as both sides attempt to manage economic and technological tensions.
With Trump and Xi preparing to meet in Washington, the negotiations in New York could help determine which issues reach the leaders’ table and whether the two governments can establish new arrangements on trade, technology and critical mineral supplies.
