First lady of China Peng Liyuan, President of China Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the National Archives Museum following a tour on September 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)
Washington, United States: China and the United States agreed to set up a "communication channel" for artificial intelligence incidents, both sides said, after a Washington summit short on breakthroughs.
Presdient Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed matters ranging from AI and trade to the stalled war in Iran, and confirmed that they would meet for a third and fourth time this year at international summits in China and the United States.
Xi's visit to Washington was marked more by pomp than substance, but the White House said on Friday the nations agreed to establish a "bilateral communication channel" for AI incidents.
Chinese state media confirmed the AI hotline was agreed in a report about the summit's outcomes on Saturday.
While billionaire Trump has repeatedly dismissed fears that AI could pose a threat to humanity, Xi took a more measured tone, noting the technology must develop under human control.
The White House also reported some deals from the visit, including China agreeing to import at least 10 million metric tons of coal from the US in 2027 and 2028.
Additionally, the two countries agreed more favorable tariff treatment for $30 billion of "non-sensitive goods" in each direction and two Chinese pandas were to arrive at a US zoo.
Despite the focus on pomp and ceremony during the visit, the message from the US and Chinese sides was that the summit had nevertheless helped smooth tensions between the rival superpowers over a host of issues.
Trump said the meeting was "one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A."
"We've made great strides, very positive for both countries," Trump told reporters as he had tea with Xi at the White House on Friday before the archives trip.
