Bessent and He Talks: Crucial AI, Trade and Minerals Meeting
Crazyrites Editorial Team
September 20, 2026
Bessent and He Talks Begin in New York
The United States and China have started another important round of economic discussions as senior officials from both countries meet in New York to discuss artificial intelligence, trade and critical minerals.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are holding the discussions at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is also involved in the talks. The meeting comes just days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
The Bessent and He talks are being closely watched because the discussions cover several areas that affect both countries as well as global businesses. These include AI security, tariffs, trade flows and access to critical minerals.
JPMorgan is providing its headquarters as a meeting location, but the bank is not involved in the negotiations. Reuters reported that the location was selected partly because of heightened security arrangements in Manhattan ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Why the Meeting Matters
The Bessent and He talks come at an important point in US-China economic relations.
Both countries remain major participants in global trade and technology. At the same time, disagreements over tariffs, technology restrictions and supply chains have created uncertainty for companies that operate across borders.
The current meeting is intended to prepare the ground for discussions between Trump and Xi later this week. According to Reuters, officials are looking at possible agreements involving AI, tariffs and critical minerals.
However, the discussions cover several separate issues, so progress in one area does not necessarily mean that all areas will move forward at the same speed.
For businesses, even limited progress can be important if it provides more clarity about future trade conditions and supply chains.
AI Becomes a Major Part of the Talks
Artificial intelligence is one of the newer issues entering high-level US-China economic discussions.
The Bessent and He talks include discussions about AI security and the risks connected with advanced AI systems. Reuters reported that Bessent planned to discuss both open-weight and closed-weight AI models.
Open-weight models allow important parts of an AI system to be accessed and modified by users, while closed-weight systems keep their underlying model information more restricted.
The difference matters because governments and companies are increasingly examining how advanced AI systems can be developed, distributed and used.
The United States and China are both major forces in the development and use of advanced AI technology. Their decisions can therefore have an effect beyond their own borders.
The Bessent and He talks could provide an opportunity to discuss shared risks while the two countries continue competing in technology.
Bessent previously indicated that the United States was open to discussions with China about shared AI risks. That does not mean the two countries have reached an agreement on AI policy, but it shows that AI has become part of the broader economic relationship.
Trade and Tariffs Remain Important
Trade is another major subject in the Bessent and He talks.
US-China trade relations have been affected by tariffs and other measures for several years. Businesses in manufacturing, technology, agriculture and other sectors have had to follow changes in trade rules and costs.
The latest discussions are taking place as the two sides work on the future of their trade arrangement.
Reuters reported that the negotiations include possible changes involving tariffs on some goods, trade in non-sensitive products and Chinese purchases of US agricultural and Boeing products.
These issues are important because tariffs can influence the final cost of imported products.
For example, when a tariff is increased on a particular product, companies may face higher costs when bringing that product into another country. Businesses may then need to adjust prices, suppliers or production plans.
On the other hand, changes in tariffs can reduce some of those pressures.
Therefore, the Bessent and He talks are being followed by companies that want clearer information about future trade conditions.
Critical Minerals Add Another Layer
Critical minerals are another major issue in the Bessent and He talks.
These materials are used in many modern industries, including electronics, electric vehicles, energy equipment and advanced technology.
Rare earth elements are particularly important for the production of several technology products and industrial components. Reuters reported that US officials are concerned about the flow of rare-earth materials and want discussions with China on the issue.
China plays an important role in global rare-earth supply chains. This makes the issue significant for manufacturers in the United States and other countries.
Any disruption in the supply of these materials can create problems for companies that depend on them.
For this reason, the Bessent and He talks are not only about US-China relations. The outcome could also affect companies that depend on international supply chains.
What Businesses Are Watching
Businesses are likely to pay attention to several developments from the Bessent and He talks.
First, companies will watch for any information about tariffs. Changes in tariff policies can influence production costs and international trade plans.
Second, businesses will be watching critical mineral supply. Manufacturers need reliable access to materials used in technology and industrial production.
Third, the AI discussions could become increasingly important as governments consider how advanced AI systems should be handled.
Finally, companies will be interested in whether the discussions reduce uncertainty around US-China trade.
It is important, however, to separate confirmed developments from expectations. The meeting itself does not mean that the two countries have already reached agreements.
The Role of the Upcoming Trump-Xi Meeting
The Bessent and He talks are taking place shortly before a planned meeting between Trump and Xi in Washington.
Reuters reported that the two senior economic officials are meeting as part of preparations for the leaders’ discussions.
The timing gives the New York discussions additional importance because officials can use them to work through technical and economic issues before the leaders meet.
The senior-level talks may also help identify areas where progress is possible and areas where differences remain.
Still, the final decisions will depend on the broader discussions between the two governments.
Why AI and Minerals Are Connected
At first, artificial intelligence and critical minerals may appear to be separate subjects.
In reality, both are connected to the future of technology.
AI development depends on large amounts of computing equipment and advanced data infrastructure. Manufacturing this technology requires a wide range of materials and components.
Critical minerals are used in electronics, batteries, energy systems and other technologies that support modern industries.
That is why the Bessent and He talks include both technology-related issues and supply-chain concerns.
The connection also explains why governments are increasingly paying attention to where important materials come from and how technology moves across borders.
What Could Happen Next
The next stage of the Bessent and He talks will depend on the discussions in New York and the broader US-China engagement planned for Washington.
Possible progress could involve specific trade arrangements, discussions on critical mineral supplies or continued dialogue on AI risks.
However, these areas are complex and involve different economic and security interests.
As a result, businesses and investors will likely focus on concrete announcements rather than broad statements.
Any confirmed agreement could provide more clarity for companies making decisions about investment, manufacturing and international supply chains.
At the same time, unresolved issues would show that further negotiations are still required.
Global Impact of the Discussions
The Bessent and He talks have significance beyond the United States and China because their economies are closely connected to global supply chains.
European and Asian manufacturers, technology companies and other businesses can be affected by changes in US-China trade policies.
For example, if critical mineral supplies become more restricted, companies in other countries may also face higher costs or delays.
Similarly, changes in tariffs can influence international sourcing decisions.
AI is also a global issue. Companies around the world are developing and using advanced AI systems, while governments are considering questions about safety, security and responsible use.
Therefore, the Bessent and He talks could influence conversations about technology and trade well beyond the two countries involved.
Conclusion
The Bessent and He talks bring together several important issues at one table: artificial intelligence, trade, tariffs and critical minerals.
The discussions are taking place ahead of a planned Trump-Xi meeting in Washington, making the timing particularly important for the two governments.
For now, the focus is on negotiations and possible areas of agreement rather than confirmed major changes.
The coming days should provide more information about whether the two sides can make progress on trade issues, critical mineral supplies and AI-related risks.
For businesses and global markets, the main concern will be clarity. Clearer trade rules, more reliable supply chains and continued dialogue on emerging technologies could help companies make better long-term plans.
The Bessent and He talks therefore represent another important step in the continuing economic dialogue between the United States and China, while the wider relationship remains complex and closely watched around the world.
Source
Reuters — Reporting on US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng’s discussions on AI, trade and critical minerals, September 18–20, 2026.
Associated Press / CNA reporting — Background on the planned New York discussions and the upcoming US-China summit.
