US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed a bilateral notification mechanism for AI incidents that impact national security. The initiative was introduced during economic discussions with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York on September 20, 2026.
The proposed system aims to establish a formal communication channel between Washington and Beijing. The goal is to move away from opaque interactions regarding critical AI events, acknowledging the dominant global roles both nations play in the sector.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also participated in the meetings. The proposal serves as a preparatory step for the summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, which was scheduled for the following week.
The initiative follows recommendations from organizations like the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy, which previously argued for structured communication to avoid misinterpretations of AI-related threats.
Significant challenges remain, including the lack of a shared definition for national security incidents and existing geopolitical tensions, such as US export controls on chips and China's development of independent AI ecosystems.
Market reaction to the announcement remained muted with no immediate impact on AI-related trading. Future developments depend on whether the upcoming presidential summit results in concrete timelines or enforcement mechanisms.
