US and China launch AI safety channel, agree on tariff cuts and coal imports

China and the U.S. agreed to establish a new AI safety channel and accelerate military crisis communications following a three-day summit in Washington, both sides announced Saturday. The agreement includes continued work on reducing tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods. The White House said China committed to importing at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal in 2027 and 2028. Both sides will hold an AI-specific dialogue in November and signed a memorandum on strengthening military crisis communications, though the summit produced no major breakthroughs. Experts called the incremental steps toward institutionalized cooperation significant, with both nations agreeing to meet again at the APEC summit in Shenzhen and the G20 in Florida. The statements also addressed rare earths supply, fentanyl export controls, and Iran's nuclear commitments.