Trade and technology to dominate Trump-Xi talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States this week, focusing on key issues like trade, technology, and security during his UN General Assembly visit. The agenda also includes discussions with US President Donald Trump, aiming to maintain a delicate economic truce amidst growing rivalry.

The primary goal is to avoid a confrontation while preserving their economic partnership, with trade serving as both a foundation and a source of tension. Washington seeks increased access for American goods and a more balanced trading relationship, whereas Beijing is concerned about predictability and restrictions on Chinese commerce and technology.

Both sides are working on reducing tariffs on non-sensitive goods, as well as Chinese purchases of American agricultural products and aircraft. The existing trade truce, set to expire in November, incentivizes continued dialogue. Critical minerals have introduced a new strategic dimension to the US-China competition, as Beijing's dominance in rare-earth processing creates leverage risks for both nations.

Washington is seeking more stable supplies, while China wants eased restrictions on its access to advanced American technology. Artificial intelligence, at the intersection of their economic and national-security competition, presents joint challenges and risks. US and Chinese officials have discussed a potential mechanism for notifying each other about serious AI-related security incidents, highlighting a slim form of cooperation amid a broader technological rivalry.