On Monday, China released more information of what was agreed at the talks between Xi Jinping and Donald Tump last week, shedding light on a handful of concrete outcomes. But there were no joint statements and few major breakthroughs. Instead, both governments issued separate accounts of the meeting - perhaps a sign that despite the White House tours and promise of warmer ties, Washington and Beijing remain wary of each other.
Here are four things we now know - and still don't - about what transpired at the talks. Beijing says it has agreed with Washington to launch a new AI dialogue, with further talks scheduled for the end of November. As both countries race to develop advanced artificial intelligence, the move suggests they see a need for some guardrails around a technology that is increasingly being used in everything from business to military planning.
They have also agreed to establish a communication channel for AI-related incidents, aimed at preventing misunderstandings or unexpected developments from turning into a broader confrontation. The meeting was being closely watched for any developments or agreements in relation to AI - especially in the wake of calls by US companies like Anthropic to slow down developments, and revelations that Open AI had gained unauthorised access to government websites in countries like Australia and had "meddled" with multiple US government agency sites. Huge data centres rise at 'China speed' to power its AI ambitions Trump and Xi come face-to-face as US and China battle to win the AI race Trump wants AI to be rebranded as super intelligence.
Chinese state media confirmed for the first time on Monday that the trade truce has been extended until 10 January. The short extension ensures both leaders will meet again at major international gatherings later this year. Trump will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November while Xi is due to travel to Miami for the G20 summit in December.
It is rare for the leaders of the world's two largest economies to meet so frequently. But Beijing had hoped for a much longer extension to the truce, making the two month reprieve a modest gain rather than a major breakthrough. China did secure lower tariffs on $30bn (£23bn) of goods entering the US with reciprocal reductions expected from Beijing.
Chinese products heading to American stores ranging from toys to small household appliances to Christmas decorations will benefit from the lower tariffs. The Trump administration also said Beijing would buy at least 10 million metric tons of coal annually in 2027 and 2028. There was no mention of increasing exports of China's rare earth minerals to the US nor was there any indication that restrictions on advanced US semiconductors would be eased.
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