The United States proposes that China establish an alert mechanism to share information about incidents linked to artificial intelligence that could threaten national security. the idea was presented by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York ahead of a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
A direct contact for the most serious AI incidents
The proposed mechanism would be part of a new US-China dialogue dedicated to AI. Scott Bessent explained that the two countries could notify each other when an AI-related incident reaches a level that could raise national security concerns, with the stated goal of improving transparency between the two major world powers in the field of AI.
“We want a common vision of common objectives and threats”stated Bessent, who believes that the passage of a situation “opaque” Greater transparency is important when it comes to an activity that can cross borders. However, the system is still only a proposal: discussions must continue to define the conditions and types of incidents involved.
The project comes as both countries develop their own AI models and regularly accuse each other of trying to gain an advantage in this strategic technology. Future discussions could focus, in particular, on the malicious use of AI, security principles, the protection of critical infrastructure and the prevention of cyber attacks, although these topics have not yet been the subject of a detailed agreement.
AI in full business negotiation
The discussions in New York were not limited to artificial intelligence. The American and Chinese delegations also worked on creating a “Trade Board”, intended to continue discussions on possible reductions in customs duties on a selection of products considered non-strategic.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said US controls on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment were not part of the proposed mechanism for dialogue on artificial intelligence. Among the categories that are likely to be examined in the trade context are, in particular, certain consumer goods, agricultural products, energy products and medical devices.
Critical minerals are another important issue in the negotiations. The United States believes that the measures taken by China to facilitate its supply remain insufficient, but Scott Bessent and Jamieson Greer have not announced any concrete progress in this regard following talks in New York. The two delegations must now continue their talks ahead of the planned meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington this week.
