Trump Rejects US‑China AI Collaboration Amid Growing Safety Concerns

Tue Sep 29 2026 20:27:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

President Trump rules out joint AI ventures with China, citing security risks, as public worry about AI safety rises.

During the launch of the America.gov AI‑powered portal, President Donald Trump made it clear the United States will not collaborate with China on artificial‑intelligence development. He warned that sharing technology would amount to “giving away secrets” to the world’s main economic rival. The announcement follows a brief meeting with President Xi, during which a new AI dialogue was agreed, but Trump remains firm on keeping American leadership unchallenged. While the US‑China AI talks aim to set up communication channels, Trump dismissed safety concerns as a “hoax,” contrasting sharply with growing public polls that see AI as a moderate to high risk. The backdrop reflects a broader tension between technological advancement, national security, and ethical governance in the age of AI.

Trump Rejects US‑China AI Collaboration Amid Growing Safety Concerns

At the launch of America.gov, an AI‑powered portal for U.S. government services, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would not pursue any joint venture with China over artificial‑intelligence development. He warned that sharing technology would be equivalent to handing over “secrets” to the country's main economic rival.

Trump reiterated the stance amid the ongoing AI dialogue between Washington and Beijing, which began after a recent summit with President Xi Jinping. The two sides have set up a new communication channel to prevent misunderstandings over AI incidents, but Trump maintained that “we are leading by a lot” and that any collaboration would jeopardise U.S. advantage.

During the event, Trump cited potential security risks, stating that China and any third party would “immediately gain access to things we have that they don’t know.” He dismissed international calls for tighter AI governance as part of a “narrative of threat.”

Meanwhile, domestic pressure over AI safety is mounting, with a recent Politico poll showing that two‑thirds of Americans see a moderate risk that AI could threaten humanity. A significant portion of Trump supporters, 44 percent, expressed a willingness to pause AI development. Trump, however, has repeatedly downplayed these concerns, calling them a “hoax” and comparing them to a “global warming scam.”

The president’s remarks underscore a widening divide between technological innovation and public apprehension over the risks of artificial intelligence.