Trump-Xi Summit: AI, Tariffs, and Rare Earths on the Table
Original: AI, Tariffs, Rare Minerals: What to Expect From Trump’s Upcoming Summit With Xi Jinping
Why This Matters
Rare earth leverage and chip export controls make this summit a direct inflection point for the global AI supply chain.
Trump and Xi Jinping are set to meet at the White House during UN General Assembly week, with a US delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pre-negotiating the agenda with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng. Key issues include a trade truce expiring November 10, rare earth exports, AI policy, and Taiwan arms sales.
The most closely watched event of UN General Assembly week is a face-to-face between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, set to take place at the White House. Trump will personally greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews on September 23 — an unusual move for a sitting US president. Pre-summit groundwork is being laid by Bessent, Greer, and He Lifeng.
At the center of talks is the Busan trade truce, struck at last year's bilateral meeting, which expires November 10. That deal lowered tariff threats, paused port fees, and — critically — lifted China's export limits on rare earths and minerals vital to AI hardware, defense, and automotive manufacturing. Both sides must now decide whether to extend it, set purchase targets for agriculture, energy, and Boeing aircraft, or advance a ~$30 billion 'non-sensitive' goods package still lacking agreement on scope.
On AI, Bessent confirmed safety will be discussed, though the industry is divided: Beijing wants eased restrictions on Chinese tech, while some US firms fear falling behind. Export controls on chips remain deeply entangled with trade talks. Taiwan is another fault line — China has threatened to cancel the summit entirely if the US approves new arms sales to Taipei.