Trump and Xi see tensions flare over AI, trade and Iran but still seek stability

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met in Washington amid escalating tensions over artificial intelligence, trade, and Iran. While neither side sought a grand bargain, they appeared to prioritize maintaining stability in their third meeting since Trump returned to the White House. The visit comes a decade after Xi's previous trip to the U.S. Both countries have scaled back their trade war from last year, but competition remains intense.

China aims to solidify its position in the global order, while the U.S. seeks to protect its tech dominance and national security. The AI race is a key battleground, with both sides warning of potential threats from rogue AI. Despite restrictions on exports of powerful AI chips to China, the U.S. and China are taking a small step towards cooperation by proposing a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security.