US–China Talks to Focus on Tariffs, AI and Rare Earths

Tariffs, artificial intelligence and critical minerals are set to dominate US–China talks in New York on 20 September, ahead of the upcoming Trump–Xi summit in Washington.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are scheduled to meet alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Reuters reports that discussions are due to begin at about 10:30 a.m. New York time.

On the agenda: a trade truce due to expire on 10 November, supplies of Chinese rare-earth magnets, and potential safeguards for AI. US officials say current flows of magnets and critical minerals are insufficient.

The immediate aim is to prepare possible agreements for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Analysts cited by Reuters expect limited steps to keep tensions contained, rather than a sweeping breakthrough.

For businesses, even modest progress could matter. Greater clarity on tariffs and access to key materials would help planning—but an agenda is not a deal. At the time of writing, the talks had not begun and no outcome had been announced.

Sources: Reuters, 20 September 2026, via CNA; USTR meeting announcement, 18 September 2026.

Cover: File photo of Scott Bessent and He Lifeng in Geneva, May 2025. U.S. Department of the Treasury / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain in the United States. Cropped for layout.