Published: September 20, 2026
NEW YORK — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are set to meet on Sunday in New York as Washington and Beijing prepare for a major meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The US-China talks on AI, tariffs and critical minerals are expected to address several important economic and technology issues. The discussions could also help prepare possible agreements for the Trump-Xi summit in Washington later this week.
First, the meeting is scheduled to begin at about 10:30 a.m. local time at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is also expected to take part.
The talks are expected to continue throughout the day. According to Reuters, discussions could also continue at a technical or working level on Monday.
What Will the US and China Discuss?
First of all, AI is expected to be one of the major subjects.
Bessent and He are expected to discuss possible safety measures for artificial intelligence. In particular, the talks may cover risks linked to both open-weight and closed-weight AI models.
To illustrate, open-weight AI models allow users to access important parts of the technology and modify them for different uses. Meanwhile, closed-weight systems keep their core model information private.
In addition, the United States and China are major players in advanced AI development. Therefore, discussions about AI safety could have wider effects on the global technology industry.
Tariffs Are Another Major Issue
Next, tariffs and the existing US-China trade truce are expected to be discussed.
The current trade truce is scheduled to expire on November 10. As a result, both countries have an interest in discussing how to manage tariffs and other trade issues before the deadline.
Then, negotiators are also expected to consider possible tariff reductions for some non-strategic goods.
After that, other economic matters could be addressed, including investment and trade commitments that were discussed during earlier US-China negotiations.
Furthermore, previous discussions included China’s commitment to increase purchases of US agricultural products and Boeing aircraft.
Critical Minerals and Rare Earths
Meanwhile, critical minerals remain another important part of the US-China talks on AI, tariffs and critical minerals.
China has a major role in global critical-mineral and rare-earth supply chains. These materials are important for many modern technologies.
For example, rare earth materials are used in products and technologies connected to electronics, advanced manufacturing and other high-tech industries.
Specifically, US officials have raised concerns about the flow of Chinese rare-earth magnets and other critical minerals.
According to Reuters, a senior US official said China’s performance in restoring critical-mineral supplies has not met US expectations. Therefore, the issue is expected to be part of the discussions.
Why the New York Meeting Matters
To begin with, the meeting comes just before the planned Trump-Xi summit in Washington.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet on September 24, 2026. The New York discussions are therefore intended to prepare the ground for issues that could reach the leaders’ table.
Similarly, the discussions show how closely trade, technology and critical minerals are connected.
In other words, a disagreement over one area could affect another. For instance, restrictions involving technology can influence trade, while access to critical minerals can affect technology manufacturing.
Equally, businesses in the United States and China are watching the talks because changes in tariffs, trade rules and mineral supplies can affect costs and supply chains.
US-China Economic Relations
Later, the two sides could discuss broader investment and economic cooperation.
The United States has tightened restrictions on some investments involving China. At the same time, Washington is considering rules that could allow some US pharmaceutical companies to invest in promising Chinese medicines and licensing deals.
Additionally, China is expected to send a business delegation to the United States for economic and trade consultations.
Besides government officials, business interests are therefore becoming an important part of the broader US-China discussions.
What Could Come From the Talks?
Finally, the exact outcome of the meeting remains uncertain.
Reuters reported that analysts expect the talks to focus on smaller steps that could demonstrate continued efforts to avoid an escalation in US-China economic tensions.
As a result, investors, businesses and consumers may continue watching developments closely.
Moreover, any agreement involving tariffs, critical minerals or AI could affect companies that depend on international supply chains.
Thus, the New York meeting is an important step before Trump and Xi meet in Washington.
What Happens Next?
After Sunday’s talks, US and Chinese officials are expected to continue working on issues that could be presented during the Trump-Xi summit.
Accordingly, attention will remain on tariffs, critical minerals, AI safety, trade and investment.
Hence, the US-China talks on AI, tariffs and critical minerals could provide an important indication of which economic issues the two governments are prepared to address at the presidential level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the US-China talks about?
The talks are expected to cover artificial intelligence, tariffs, trade, critical minerals, rare earths and other economic issues.
When are the US-China talks taking place?
The meeting between Scott Bessent and He Lifeng is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026, in New York.
Where are Bessent and He Lifeng meeting?
The talks are scheduled to take place at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan, New York.
Who is attending the US-China talks?
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are expected to participate.
Why is AI part of the US-China talks?
The United States and China are major developers of advanced AI technology. The discussions are expected to include possible safeguards and risks linked to AI systems.
What are critical minerals?
Critical minerals are materials that are important for modern industries and technologies. Some rare-earth materials are used in advanced electronics and manufacturing.
When will Trump and Xi meet?
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Washington on September 24, 2026.
When does the US-China trade truce expire?
The current US-China trade truce is scheduled to expire on November 10, 2026.
Why are tariffs important in the US-China relationship?
Tariffs can affect the price of imported goods, business costs and international trade. Therefore, tariff negotiations are an important part of the wider US-China economic relationship.
Could the talks affect financial markets?
Yes. Changes involving tariffs, trade, AI technology or critical-mineral supplies could affect companies and industries connected to global supply chains. However, the actual market impact will depend on what agreements, if any, are reached.
Source
This article is based on reporting from Reuters, including its September 20, 2026 report on the planned Bessent-He Lifeng talks.