President Donald Trump has ruled out a joint artificial intelligence venture with China, saying cooperation could expose American technological secrets to its main rival.
Speaking in Washington on September 29, Trump said such a partnership would mean “giving away secrets”, the BBC reported. He argued that the United States should protect its position in the AI race.
Related: Three takeaways from Trump’s ‘Super Intelligence’ summit
AI talks will continue
The remarks followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House, after which the countries announced an AI dialogue, with further discussions scheduled for November.
They also established a communications channel intended to prevent misunderstandings during AI-related incidents.
Rejecting joint development does not mean ending discussions. The distinction leaves room for managing risks while keeping technological competition firmly in place.
Trump prioritises growth
At the launch of America.gov, an AI-powered government services website, Trump also argued against restrictions that could slow the technology’s development.
His position comes amid growing public concern. A late-September Politico poll cited in the reporting found that 44% of Trump supporters surveyed favoured pausing AI development.
What businTrump Rejects Joint AI Project With China, Citing Technology Secrets
esses will watch
The practical question for technology companies is whether this stance leads to specific changes affecting partnerships, market access or technology transfers. The remarks alone do not establish new restrictions.
Related: The AI Boom Is Increasingly Being Financed by Debt.
Washington is keeping diplomatic channels open while treating advanced AI development as a strategic advantage to protect.
