Xi and Biden Agree Humans, Not AI, Should Control Nuclear Weapons
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with outgoing President Joe Biden during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru. This meeting is expected to be their final encounter before Donald Trump takes office in January. The discussion lasted about two hours.
Xi expressed a desire to cooperate with the incoming Trump administration. He emphasized the importance of maintaining communication, expanding cooperation, and managing differences with the US. Xi noted concerns about potential trade tensions and diplomatic challenges that may arise. He stated that “neither decoupling nor supply chain disruption is a solution,” highlighting the need for stability in a changing global landscape.
During his campaign, Trump promised a tougher approach to China, including raising tariffs on Chinese imports. This has raised fears of a trade war that could further strain relations between the US and China. Additionally, Trump has pledged to end Russia’s war in Ukraine “in 24 hours,” which could impact US-China dynamics and provide China with a chance to increase its global influence.
Despite their differences, Biden and Xi agreed on the importance of human control over nuclear weapons. Both leaders stressed that decisions regarding nuclear weapons should not be delegated to artificial intelligence. This agreement marks progress in US-China discussions about nuclear arms and AI, where progress has been slow.
The White House confirmed that the leaders also addressed the responsible development of military AI technology. However, it is uncertain if these discussions will lead to concrete actions or further dialogue.
The US has encouraged China to participate more actively in nuclear arms talks, but progress has been limited. Official-level discussions briefly resumed in November but have stalled, frustrating US officials due to China’s unresponsiveness.
During their meeting, Biden highlighted the need to prevent US-China competition from escalating into conflict. He emphasized that managing their complex relationship without direct confrontation is possible.
Xi congratulated Trump on his election victory and stated that a stable China-US relationship is in the interest of both nations and the international community. However, his prepared remarks at APEC expressed caution, warning of “unilateralism and protectionism” that contribute to global instability.
Meanwhile, US officials are concerned about Chinese attempts to hack into US telecommunications networks. An FBI investigation found that Chinese operatives targeted US government officials, including Trump and his running mate JD Vance, to steal sensitive information. These developments complicate the already tense relationship between the two powers.
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