President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on September 24 for a summit centered on technology, trade, and supply chains. The meeting is expected to draw top executives from major U.S. and Chinese technology companies, although the final guest list has not been confirmed.
U.S. Tech Leaders Receive State Dinner Invitations
Several leading U.S. technology executives have reportedly received invitations to the White House state dinner. The list includes Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Elon Musk, Michael Dell, and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon are also among the reported invitees.
Their expected attendance places artificial intelligence near the center of the Trump-Xi summit. However, no formal agreement between the companies or governments has been announced. The White House has also rejected a proposed roundtable between U.S. and Chinese chief executives, according to Reuters.
China Considers BYD, CATL, and Xiaomi Executives
China is arranging its own business delegation, but officials were still working on the final list. BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, CATL Chairman Robin Zeng, and Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun may join Xi’s visit. Executives from Wanxiang Group, Hisense, and Bank of China are also under consideration.
The proposed delegation covers electric vehicles, batteries, financial services, and data-center technology. Several companies face close regulatory attention in the United States. As a result, their attendance would create opportunities for direct contact but would not remove existing trade restrictions or security reviews.
AI Safety Talks May Produce Broad Commitments
U.S. and Chinese officials are expected to discuss artificial intelligence safety during the summit. Washington has accused some Chinese companies of copying restricted American technology. Beijing rejects that claim and argues that “open-source development is a global trend.”
Still, both governments have reasons to discuss safeguards. U.S. officials have raised national security concerns linked to powerful AI systems, while Beijing closely monitors risks to political and social control. Any joint statement will likely use broad language because the two sides disagree over export controls, access to advanced chips, and technology development.
Tariffs and Rare Earths Remain Core Issues
Trade talks may focus on extending the current tariff truce. Washington reportedly prefers extensions lasting between six months and one year. Beijing is said to favor a longer arrangement covering the rest of Trump’s term. Neither government has publicly confirmed the final period.
The United States also wants steadier access to Chinese rare earth materials and stronger purchases of American agricultural products, including soybeans. China may seek lower tariffs on selected goods. However, the White House is unlikely to ease controls covering sensitive technology, advanced semiconductors, or products tied to national security.
Before the summit, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are due to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng at JPMorgan’s headquarters in New York. Their discussions will cover trade, artificial intelligence security, and other economic matters.
Trump and Xi may also discuss Taiwan, Iran, and North Korea. China could again request a clear U.S. statement against Taiwanese independence. Meanwhile, Washington may ask Beijing to support talks involving Iran and North Korea. No agreement on those issues has been announced.
