The United States and China are preparing to hold their first official high-level dialogue on artificial intelligence this September, according to five sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters. The talks, which represent a significant diplomatic development amid escalating technological tensions, are expected to take place prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the U.S. on September 24.
The agreement to hold these discussions is a direct outcome of the summit between President Trump and President Xi held in May. While the exact dates and location are still being finalized, the U.S. delegation will be led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The identities of other participants and the specific agenda remain under deliberation by both governments, as preparations are at an initial stage.
The scheduling of these talks comes at a critical juncture in the U.S.-China relationship. The two nations are currently locked in a fierce competition for technological supremacy, with artificial intelligence serving as the primary battleground.
The rapid advancement of AI models, coupled with growing concerns over intellectual property theft and national security, has created an urgent need for diplomatic engagement to establish basic guardrails and prevent unintended escalation. Analysis published this week suggests that U.S.-China AI cooperation may succeed where the trade war failed.
Addressing AI Security and IP Concerns
The upcoming talks are expected to cover a range of critical issues related to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Key topics will likely include the regulation of advanced AI models that possess the potential to strengthen military capabilities, enable sophisticated cyberattacks, and disrupt global labor markets. The dialogue marks the first official U.S.-China AI engagement under the Trump administration, following previous discussions during the Biden era that focused primarily on maintaining human control over nuclear weapons decisions.
Treasury Secretary Bessent has already signaled some of the primary concerns the U.S. intends to raise. During a recent television appearance on Fox Business, Bessent highlighted the issue of intellectual property theft, noting that U.S. officials have discovered watermarks from American large language models on several Chinese models. He characterized this practice as unacceptable, indicating that IP protection will be a central focus of the American delegation.
The U.S. is also likely to address concerns regarding the use of Chinese AI models in military and intelligence operations. Recent allegations that companies like DeepSeek are actively aiding the People’s Liberation Army have heightened anxieties in Washington, prompting calls for stricter export controls and potential sanctions. The September talks will provide a forum for U.S. officials to directly confront their Chinese counterparts on these issues.
Beijing Signals Willingness to Cooperate
China has publicly confirmed its intention to participate in the dialogue. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that Beijing is “willing to work with Washington to implement the consensus on that subject reached by the two countries’ leaders.” The willingness to engage in these talks suggests a mutual recognition of the need to establish basic guardrails and communication channels regarding AI development, even as the two nations compete fiercely for technological supremacy.
For Beijing, the talks offer an opportunity to push back against U.S. efforts to restrict its access to advanced technologies. Chinese officials are expected to argue against the “overstretching of the national security concept” and advocate for a more open and collaborative approach to AI development.
China’s recent launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO) demonstrates its ambition to play a leading role in shaping global AI governance, a goal that will likely inform its negotiating strategy in September.
A Test of Diplomatic Resolve
The September meetings will test whether the two superpowers can find common ground on AI governance while simultaneously pursuing aggressive industrial policies designed to outpace one another. With the White House recently accusing Chinese firms of IP theft and threatening sanctions, the diplomatic environment surrounding the talks is expected to be highly charged.
The outcome of these discussions could have profound implications for the future of the global technology ecosystem. If the U.S. and China can establish a framework for managing their AI competition, it could help mitigate the risks of technological decoupling and reduce the likelihood of conflict. However, if the talks fail to produce meaningful progress, it could accelerate the division of the world into competing technological blocs, with far-reaching consequences for innovation, economic growth, and international security.