Why Beijing has the upper hand in Trump AI talks - AFR

US-China AI summit: How Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are navigating the race to control artificial intelligence

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Why Beijing has the upper hand in Trump AI talks

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping face an unusual diplomatic problem: both their nations recognise the dangers of AI, but neither wants to be the first to touch the brake.

*Xi Jinping and Donald Trump will meet in Washington, DC next week, which follows a May summit in Beijing.*AP**

**Jessica Sier**and

**Jessica Gardner**

Sep 18, 2026 – 1.28pm

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For several feverish hours this week, rumours swirled that Chinese President Xi Jinping had fallen seriously ill.

The speculation – fuelled by his absence from a dinner at the BRICS summit in New Delhi after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and claims by overseas Chinese dissidents that he had suffered a stroke – were not supported by any verified evidence.

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!Jessica Sier

**Jessica Sier**

North Asia correspondent

Jessica Sier is the North Asia correspondent for The Australian Financial Review. She is based in Tokyo, Japan. Jessica has previously written on technology, global capital markets and economics.Connect with Jessica on Twitter.

Email Jessica at [email protected]

**Jessica Gardner**

United States correspondent

Jessica Gardner is The Australian Financial Review’s United States correspondent. She was previously deputy editor - news.Connect with Jessica on Twitter.

Email Jessica at [email protected]

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