Presidents Biden and Xi have first contact since November: spoke on the phone about AI, Taiwan and trade | Abroad

At last year’s meeting it was agreed to formally discuss advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The subject came up again on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, the US and China, along with 120 other countries, supported a United Nations resolution calling for global agreements for the safe use of AI.

Next month, Lai Ching-te will be sworn in as Taiwan’s new president. That island is de facto independent of China and Lai has already said he wants to protect that independence. Xi sees Taiwan as part of China and is strongly against US support for the island.

Xi reiterated to Biden that Taiwan is “the first red line that should not be crossed.” He also stressed that his government will not tolerate separatist activities on Taiwan, as well as “external coddling and support.” A not-so-subtle reference to American support.

Xi expressed concerns about US trade policy during the call. He called this “unfair,” according to a White House press release.

Biden responded that “the United States will continue to take the necessary steps to prevent advanced American technology from being used to undermine our national security, without inappropriately restricting trade and investment.”

After a year of complete radio silence, the two leaders met in person near San Francisco in November to discuss the high tensions between the United States and China. They agreed to speak to each other regularly by telephone in the future.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to travel to China again in the coming days and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will go in the coming weeks. Visits to the US by members of the Chinese government are also planned.

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