AI Talks Stall As Trade Truce Extended

President Donald Trump said the United States will outpace China in artificial intelligence, a technology he has called "super intelligence." The two countries have extended their trade truce until January but have not agreed on safeguards for AI. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet again in China next month.

The United States and China, the world's two largest economies, have been in a trade war across both of Trump's terms. During his presidential campaign, Trump said tariffs would be the central issue in the bilateral relationship. Artificial intelligence has since become the main point of contention between the two nations.

Trump spoke about the technology on Sept. 13 in Ireland. "We're leading China in AI, we're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins," he said.

Trump visited Beijing in May and praised Xi at the time. "And it's to me an honor. We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along. When they were difficulties, we worked it out," Trump said. He hosted Xi at the White House in September for a state visit, where he pointed to what he called "the tremendous strides" the two had made on national security, trade and technology.

The two leaders met at the White House in September for a state visit. At that summit, the countries agreed to extend their trade truce until January. No agreement was reached on implementing safeguards for AI. Trump and Xi are set to meet again in China next month.