Trump, Xi expected to discuss trade, AI, Taiwan: Scholars

Taipei, Sept. 23 (CNA) U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) are expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence (AI) and Taiwan at a summit beginning Thursday in Washington, with scholars saying the talks will also aim to manage competition between the two countries.

Core agenda: Trade, AI and regional conflicts

The summit, the leaders' second face-to-face meeting this year following talks in Beijing in May, is expected to build on their agreement to establish a "constructive relationship of strategic stability," said Bao Chengke (包承柯), a researcher at the Shanghai Institute for East Asian Studies.

Bao told CNA that the two sides have made progress in implementing agreements reached in May, including China's purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

Negotiators are also working on a reciprocal framework to reduce tariffs on about US$30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods from each country, with an announcement on the framework expected after the summit, he said.

Ensuring a stable supply of Chinese rare earths to the U.S. could also be discussed, Bao said.

On broader strategic issues, Bao said Beijing and Washington have common interests regarding Iran and Russia. Both support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and favor a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, leaving room for greater cooperation to help preserve global stability, he said.

Bao said Taiwan is also expected to feature in the talks, with Beijing hoping Washington will provide greater clarity on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to reduce unnecessary risks.

On AI, Bao said the two countries should establish mechanisms to manage risks and prevent competition from escalating uncontrollably in a field critical to national security, economic competitiveness and military capabilities.

Separately, Wu Xinbo (吳心伯), dean of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, said at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing that the United States and China need to begin talks on AI risks and safeguards, noting that the two countries account for about 90 percent of global AI capabilities.

Although no government-to-government AI dialogue has begun, Wu said Beijing should remain cautious because Washington could use such talks to slow China's AI development.

Trump eyes midterms, Xi seeks stability

Taiwanese scholars offered a different assessment, saying trade, procurement commitments and AI are likely to dominate the agenda, while Taiwan is expected to play a secondary role.

Wang Hsin-hsien (王信賢), a distinguished professor at National Chengchi University's Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, said Trump is seeking tangible outcomes to boost Republican prospects ahead of the November U.S. midterm elections.

Xi, meanwhile, aims to show that China's foreign policy and domestic governance remain stable ahead of the Chinese Communist Party's 21st National Congress next year, he said.

Wang Hung-jen (王宏仁), a political science professor at National Cheng Kung University, said Beijing is expected to press Washington to slow the pace of arms sales to Taiwan and limit high-level U.S.-Taiwan exchanges.

However, Wang Hung-jen said China recognizes that it is unlikely to persuade the United States to halt arms sales to Taiwan altogether.

He added that while Taiwan will be discussed, it is unlikely to feature more prominently than it did during the leaders' May meeting.

U.S. reaffirms Taiwan policy

As attention turns to the summit, Jakob Lengacher, the U.S. State Department's Chinese-language spokesperson, told Voice of America in New York that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged.

Washington continues to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, he said.

Lengacher reiterated that the United States opposes unilateral changes to the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait and remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.