Trump and Xi see tensions flare over AI, trade and Iran but still seek stability - Taylorville Daily News

U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting China’s leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week as tensions over AI, trade, Iran and Taiwan continue to escalate. The leaders are expected to keep dialogue open—Trump and Xi are meeting for the third time since Trump returned to the White House—despite neither anticipating a major deal. Sen. Steve Daines said the relationship and ongoing talks matter as much as outcomes. Xi’s visit, his first in 10 years, follows last year’s rollback of a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs and restrictions on critical mineral supplies from China. The U.S. is seeking both trade balance and tech dominance on national security grounds, while China aims to solidify its position in the global order. Both sides describe stability as a competitive necessity even as they blacklist companies and restrict high-tech flows. AI remains a central battleground, with both countries pushing forward despite warnings from tech leaders.