U.S. and Chinese economic chiefs met in New York to shape talks on artificial intelligence security, trade, and critical minerals before next week’s Trump–Xi summit in Washington.
Story Highlights
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met China’s He Lifeng in New York before the Trump–Xi summit.
- Talks included artificial intelligence security, trade, rare earths, and broader economic issues.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joined the meeting as part of the negotiating team.
- The session took place at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in Manhattan on Sunday morning.
Who Met, Where, and Why It Matters
Reuters reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend in New York, with the meeting intended to set the stage for President Trump’s summit with China’s President Xi Jinping in Washington on September 24. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office said Greer would also attend, signaling trade talks were central to the agenda. The teams convened at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in Manhattan, with a Sunday 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time start reported by Reuters.
Reuters and other outlets described a focused agenda: artificial intelligence security, trade policy, rare earth supply, and wider economic issues that link national security to the pocketbook. That mix reflects today’s reality. Artificial intelligence affects defense and data flows. Trade rules shape prices for American families. Rare earths touch everything from phones to fighter jets. The Trump administration aims to press advantages, keep leverage on sensitive tech, and seek wins that help U.S. workers and industry.
The Stakes for American Families and Industry
Artificial intelligence security sits at the center of this round because it can empower or endanger America. Clear guardrails can reduce theft, lower the risk of tech misuse, and protect our edge. Trade talks and tariff tools affect factory orders, grocery bills, and farm exports. Rare earths matter for energy, autos, aircraft, and defense. Securing steady supplies protects jobs and keeps America from being squeezed by a rival power. These aims track with limited government, strong borders, and a secure homeland.
The timing ahead of a leader summit matches a standard pattern in U.S.–China diplomacy: staff-level sessions test ideas, frame narrow deliverables, and reduce the chance of surprises when presidents meet. Analysts have noted that recent summits often produce targeted, near-term steps, such as sector deals and committees to manage friction, rather than sweeping settlements. That approach favors concrete wins that Americans can see, like stable supplies and fairer terms for trade and technology flows.
What Was on the Table and What Comes Next
Reuters said the Bessent–He agenda covered artificial intelligence security, trade, rare earths, and broader economic issues, with the New York talks designed to tee up possible agreements for the Washington summit. A previous wave of talks under President Trump brought practical outcomes, such as easing rare earth shipment issues in 2025, showing that targeted deals can reduce pressure points without giving up leverage. This weekend’s work follows that same playbook: move priority items, protect U.S. interests, and keep the initiative.
☎️The US and China are planning to build an AI hotline.
Treasury Secretary Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng wrapped up talks in New York pushing for exactly that, a notification system for AI threats at a national security level.
We've had nuclear red phones since the… pic.twitter.com/rMpGPMk4uQ
— Lark Davis (@LarkDavis) September 21, 2026
One caveat is that public reporting highlighted schedule details and topics but did not include a formal readout of outcomes at the time of publication. That is common before head-of-state meetings. The test will be whether leader statements and agency readouts next week confirm steps on artificial intelligence risk channels, stable rare earth flows, and practical trade items. If they do, Americans should see steadier supply lines, clearer rules for advanced tech, and a stronger hand for U.S. workers and manufacturers.
Sources:
cbsnews.com, reuters.com, csis.org
