The United States and China have agreed to provide more favourable tariff treatment to $30 billion worth of goods traded between the two countries and establish new mechanisms for continued economic and technology discussions, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington.
The agreement covers non-sensitive goods traded in both directions. US exports receiving more favourable treatment include agricultural products, fish and seafood, logs and wood products, cosmetics and medical devices, while Chinese goods such as small appliances, toys and decorations will also receive more favourable tariff treatment.
The two sides also agreed to establish a trade council to continue discussions on economic and trade issues and to carry forward the outcomes of their earlier negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The latest measures follow an extension of the existing US-China trade truce by two months, giving Washington and Beijing additional time to work towards a broader agreement. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said the extension would allow negotiators to address unfinished issues before the truce expires.
Xi and Trump discuss trade, stability in Washington
Xi and US President Donald Trump held talks at the White House during Xi’s three-day visit to the United States, followed by a state dinner attended by senior government officials and business leaders.
Among those present were Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The visit was Xi’s first state visit to Washington in 11 years, according to China’s foreign ministry, and the first visit by a Chinese president to the White House in more than a decade, according to the White House.
Both sides highlighted the need for stability and continued engagement in their relationship. Xi called for greater “win-win cooperation” and said competition between the two countries should remain within appropriate limits.
China’s foreign ministry said Xi told Trump that economic and trade cooperation should continue on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit. Trump, in turn, said the latest talks had produced new economic and trade results and that the two countries should continue their dialogue.
The White House said the two countries also operationalised the US-China Board of Trade and Board of Investment, mechanisms created during the leaders’ May 2026 summit to provide government-to-government channels for trade and investment discussions.
The Board of Trade also launched a working group focused on agricultural market-access barriers, according to the White House.
Washington and Beijing open new AI channel
The economic discussions were accompanied by an agreement to create a formal dialogue on artificial intelligence, covering both the potential benefits of the technology and risks arising from its development and misuse.
The White House said the two countries established the US-China Super Intelligence Dialogue to exchange views on the risks and benefits of emerging technologies. The next round is expected by November 2026. A separate bilateral communication channel will also allow officials to discuss incidents involving super intelligence.
The two countries agreed to use the term “super intelligence” instead of “artificial intelligence” for the technologies covered by the new dialogue. China’s foreign ministry said Beijing supported continued AI exchanges and discussions on managing the technology’s risks and benefits.
The latest arrangement builds on discussions between US and Chinese officials earlier in September on AI safety and emergency communication protocols. Bessent had said officials were expected to meet again in China within two months to continue those discussions.
US, China agree on APEC and G20 cooperation
The agreements extended beyond trade and technology. Washington and Beijing agreed to support each other as hosts of major international meetings, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ meeting and the G20 summit.
Trump and Xi intend to attend meetings hosted by the other country, according to statements from Washington and Beijing. China’s foreign ministry separately confirmed that the two leaders agreed to support the successful hosting of the 2026 APEC leaders’ meeting and G20 summit.
The two governments also agreed that international waterways should not be subject to transit tolls imposed by individual countries or entities.
During their discussions, Trump and Xi also exchanged views on international issues including Russia, North Korea and Iran. The White House said both leaders agreed that Iran should not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
The latest trade and technology arrangements mark another step in efforts by Washington and Beijing to manage tensions through continued negotiations, while leaving broader issues in the US-China economic relationship subject to further talks.