Trump and Xi meet in Washington to manage AI, trade, and Iran tensions

President Trump is hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week as economic and tech competition escalates between the two countries, with no grand bargain expected but both seeking to steady fragile ties. The leaders are meeting for the third time since Trump returned to office, focusing on managing intense rivalry over AI development, trade, and leverage on issues like Iran and Taiwan. Both sides have shifted from sky-high tariffs to targeted actions like blacklisting companies. Xi's visit is his first to Washington in 10 years. The U.S. is restricting AI chip exports to China, while Beijing seeks global AI guardrails. A small cooperation step includes a proposed notification mechanism for AI incidents.