Bessent and He to Open US-China Talks on AI, Trade, Critical Minerals

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet Sunday in New York to prepare potential agreements on AI, tariffs, and critical minerals ahead of a US-China presidential summit this week. The talks include US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussions will address the US-China trade truce expiring November 10, Chinese rare-earth flows deemed insufficient by US officials, and AI guard rails following security breach reports. Analysts expect small deliverables rather than a breakthrough, with unresolved issues including tariff reductions and Chinese pledges on US agricultural purchases. The meeting follows a 16-month pattern of pre-summit negotiations, including the November 2025 Busan truce capping US tariffs at about 20%. China's trade truce performance on critical minerals has been criticized, while new AI talks mark a significant area of cooperation between the two leading technology powers.