Following the two-night, three-day U.S.-China summit, both countries released statements on September 26 that revealed some areas of concrete agreement, establishing a framework for dialogue and cooperation. However, significant differences emerged regarding key issues such as rare earths and Taiwan.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, the country announced eight outcomes and agreements from the summit, which included: a constructive strategic stability relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity; a mutual tariff reduction of $30 billion; activation of economic and trade consultation bodies such as a trade committee; establishment of an AI dialogue channel; and opposition to Iran's nuclear weapons development and international tolls on maritime passage. Similar content was also included in the fact sheet released by the White House on the same day.
However, the emphasis in the statements from both sides differed. The U.S. noted that discussions would continue to address concerns regarding supply chain shortages of critical minerals, including rare earths, but this was not mentioned in China's statement. Additionally, China's announcement did not include references to the establishment of an investment committee or China's purchase of U.S. coal, indicating that significant differences remain regarding key supply chains and economic issues.
In the military and security sectors, the emphasis also varied. China stated that both countries' militaries agreed to expedite the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enhance crisis communication and prevention. In contrast, the U.S. statement omitted this detail, instead highlighting support for trilateral arms control negotiations involving the U.S., China, and Russia.
The Taiwan issue was discussed during the summit but was not included in the official outcomes. China reported through Xinhua that President Xi Jinping requested President Donald Trump to maintain the U.S. position against 'Taiwan independence' and to handle the Taiwan issue with caution. After the summit, President Trump also indicated in a separate interaction with reporters that Xi understood his stance on Taiwan.
In the AI sector, both countries found common ground. They agreed to establish a 'U.S.-China AI dialogue' and hold follow-up discussions in November. They also decided to create a bilateral channel for communication in the event of AI-related incidents.
China's Foreign Ministry expressed respect for the U.S. use of the term 'Super Intelligence' instead of 'AI' in the White House fact sheet, while China used the term 'AI' in its summit statement. Chinese experts noted the significance of the communication structure established during the summit, including the AI dialogue channel. Zhu Feng, a professor at Nanjing University, stated that the positive messages exchanged on AI reflect both leaders' willingness to compromise. Liming Zhang, a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, also praised the meaningful breakthrough achieved in the AI field.
Experts believe that the commitment to build a strategic stability relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity is significant for managing U.S.-China competition. The two additional U.S.-China summits scheduled for this year are expected to help stabilize the relationship. Both leaders are set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in November and the G20 summit in Miami in December.
However, the Taiwan issue is likely to remain a key variable in future U.S.-China relations. The impact of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan is particularly noteworthy, as the U.S. has temporarily suspended the announcement of a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The plan itself has not been withdrawn, leaving the possibility of future announcements open. Professor Liming Zhang warned that if the U.S. completes the arms sale to Taiwan, it could hinder military exchanges, political diplomacy, and high-level interactions between the U.S. and China, and he suggested that China might strengthen its export controls on rare earths to the U.S.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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