Elected officials in the United States are now taking a more cautious approach to the development of data centers. In response to significant public opposition, many current politicians and candidates for the upcoming November elections are reconsidering their support for these facilities or are even proposing temporary halts on new projects.

Leaders such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott are in states that already host substantial hyperscale data center operations. In contrast, figures like Florida's Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor as a Republican, find themselves in states currently evaluating potential data center development.

While some officials maintain that their positions remain unchanged, denying any shift in their views, others, like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, openly acknowledge that public feedback has influenced their perspectives.

One notable factor driving these changes is the growing impact of artificial intelligence, which has reshaped the conversation regarding data centers—projects that were once enthusiastically supported by many state officials.

Here’s a look at how the viewpoints of 11 elected leaders are evolving with respect to data center initiatives.

11 Politicians Shifting Their Stance on AI Data Centers

A dimly lit conference hall with 11 silhouetted, suit-clad figures seated around a curved table of microphones and nameplates. Through floor-to-ceiling windows behind them, a massive AI server farm glows with warm red and amber lights. At the table’s center sits a seesaw scale tipping between a circuit-board icon and a rolled-up policy document. Soft spotlights cast long shadows, highlighting each politician half-turned—some leaning toward the data center, others recoiling into darkness—to capture their shifting positions.

Data centers were once a political prize. Here are 11 politicians rethinking the boom. - businessinsider.com

- Elected officials are reevaluating their support for data center developments amid public opposition.  
- Some officials maintain their positions, while others acknowledge shifts in their perspectives.  
- AI's influence is prompting changes in discourse surrounding data centers among lawmakers.  

America's elected officials have a different tune when it comes to data centers.

Amid intense public pushback, elected officials and those running for office this November have moved to rein in support for data centers or enact pauses on their development entirely.

Some, like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, represent states that are already home to massive hyperscale projects. Others, like Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, the GOP's gubernatorial nominee, may lead states that are sorting through such proposals.

A few told us that they haven't changed their minds at all, rejecting the suggestion that they've evolved on the topic. Then there are those like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who are open about how getting an earful has changed their outlook.

What is clear is that AI has noticeably changed how elected officials talk about data centers, projects that many statewide officials once clamored to bring home.

Here is how 11 officials are shifting their stances on data centers

11 Politicians Changing Their Positions on AI Data Centers

OpenAI has voiced its desire for the United States to spearhead an international initiative aimed at establishing standards for artificial intelligence, coinciding with a significant week of talks on AI safety between Chinese and American representatives. However, the question remains: can the U.S. gain Beijing's trust to set these global standards?

In a blog post released on Monday, OpenAI urged the U.S. government to engage with existing AI safety organizations such as the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) and collaborate with global partners to formulate technical standards for advanced AI, particularly in the area of recursive self-improvement (RSI). Although fully automated RSI does not yet exist, OpenAI emphasizes that, if approached securely, it is a goal worth pursuing.

The organization noted that the standards created from this initiative would offer a shared technical framework for measuring capabilities and evaluating risks, as well as ensuring adequate safety measures. OpenAI clarified that these would not serve as mandatory licenses or pre-release approvals for AI models; instead, it would be up to each nation to determine how to integrate these standards into their legal frameworks.

CAISI, which falls under the Commerce Department, has been utilized by the previous Trump administration for testing new AI models. It collaborates with various organizations from nine other countries as part of the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation, and Science. This coalition could help mitigate the uneven distribution of AI expertise and address the fragmented and sometimes conflicting perspectives on AI safety across nations.

OpenAI contends that the United States is ideally suited to lead this effort due to its advanced AI industry and its influential role in critical domains like finance, trade, defense, and technology. They argue that geopolitical competition will hinge not only on technical prowess but also on the adoption and dissemination of AI, which may increasingly be influenced by those promoting effective international cooperation and realistic governance frameworks.

Essentially, OpenAI's position suggests that if the U.S. can take the reins in developing a global AI safety framework, it would not only strengthen its own position in AI adoption but also ensure it remains competitive against China in the burgeoning AI landscape.

This is a strategic push, especially considering the concerns among American legislators regarding maintaining the edge of the U.S. AI industry over its Chinese counterparts. Earlier in the month, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei had previously expressed alarms about the rapid pace of AI development in an essay that called for governmental intervention to mitigate potential catastrophic outcomes. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, supported Amodei's call for caution, and company executives engaged with lawmakers in Washington to advocate for proposed legislation aimed at establishing federal safety frameworks and new auditing mechanisms for AI technologies.

However, any suggestion of a government-imposed slowdown on AI innovation met with strong opposition from critics, including Trump, who warned that a deceleration in the U.S. would allow China to forge ahead, potentially creating an imbalance in global AI capabilities that could jeopardize U.S. security interests. This concern implies that any effective globally coordinated slowdown might necessitate cooperation with Beijing to gain acceptance among U.S. policymakers.

While it appears unlikely that China would agree to a global framework dominated by U.S. standards, the Chinese government has expressed its commitment to international collaboration on AI—a collaboration it prefers to shape according to its own interests. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for collective action, stating that AI development should not be led solely by one nation but should truly embody a collaborative international effort. This sentiment was echoed at the recent World AI Conference in Shanghai, where China announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, comprising 29 member countries including major economies such as Brazil and Russia.

As discussions get underway ahead of this week's meetings, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that American officials suggested implementing a notification system allowing both nations to alert one another about AI incidents that could threaten national security. A meeting between Xi and Trump is scheduled for later this week to further address AI safety.

OpenAI is expected to play a significant role in these discussions; CEO Sam Altman is set to speak at the UN Security Council—a body that includes both China and the U.S.—on Wednesday before attending a state dinner pertaining to U.S.-China relations on Thursday.

Even if China can be persuaded to allow the U.S. to lead in setting global AI standards, it remains uncertain whether other nations will welcome this arrangement, especially given the current geopolitical climate that has seen the Trump administration strain relations with longstanding allies through a confrontational trade policy.

OpenAI Urges US to Set Global AI Standards; Will China Accept This?

A dimly lit conference room in a moody, film-noir palette, a long polished table holding a glowing binder titled “Global AI Standards” with “OpenAI” text on its cover (no logo). Behind the head chair stands a U.S. flag. At the opposite end, a lone, shadowy figure backlit in faint red tint leans forward, studying the binder—China’s silent response looming in silhouette.

OpenAI Calls for US to Lead Global AI Standards. Will China Be Okay With That? - gizmodo.com

- OpenAI urges the US to lead global AI standards development amid US-China talks.  
- The proposed standards aim to unify AI risk assessment and evaluation processes globally.  
- China's acceptance of US-led AI standards remains uncertain, impacting international cooperation efforts.

OpenAI just said it wants Washington to lead a global effort to establish AI standards, as a consequential week of diplomatic discussions on AI safety coordination between Chinese and American officials begins. But would Beijing be happy to trust the US to define global standards?

In a blog post published on Monday, OpenAI called on the US government to utilize existing AI safety organizations like the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) and work with other countries to “develop global technical standards for frontier AI, including for RSI,” which stands for recursive self-improvement, aka when the process of new model development becomes automated by AI. Fully automated RSI does not yet exist, OpenAI says in the blog post, but if developed safely, should be something to strive towards.

“Standards developed by this effort would provide a common technical foundation for capability measurement and evaluation, risk assessment, and safeguard sufficiency,” OpenAI said in the post. “These technical standards would not be licenses, mandatory pre-release review, or approval requirements for AI models. National governments would decide whether and how to incorporate these standards into their own legal systems.”

CAISI, under the Commerce Department, is the government body the Trump administration uses to test new models. Along with organizations from nine other governments, CAISI is part of the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science, a coalition that could be built upon to address uneven distribution of AI expertise and the currently fragmented and potentially conflicting understandings of AI safety across the world, according to OpenAI.

“The United States is well positioned to lead because its AI industry is at the technical frontier, and it still stands in a privileged global network position in critical areas such as finance, trade, defense, technology, and information systems,” OpenAI argued. “Geopolitical competition will not just be about who is ahead technically, but also over AI adoption and diffusion. Increasingly, the latter may be determined by whoever is driving realistic cooperation and sensible rules of the road that businesses and societies everywhere will want if they are going to bet their futures on this technology.”

To help decode that a bit: OpenAI is basically arguing that if the United States were to lead the formation of a global AI safety framework, that will also help the country secure a favorable place in global AI adoption, which could help ensure that the U.S. wins the AI race against China.

That seems to be OpenAI’s primary argument to get Washington on board with the plan, seeing how concerned American politicians and the Trump administration specifically have been about maintaining the American AI industry’s competitive edge over its Chinese counterparts.

Earlier this month, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay calling on the government to intervene and slow the pace of AI development, warning of catastrophic scenarios if AI development should continue at its current pace. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman agreed with Amodeiâs essay, and OpenAI executives descended on Washington to meet with lawmakers on the issue. The company ultimately threw its support behind two bills that would establish federal AI safety frameworks and create new mechanisms for audits.

But the prospect of a government-backed slowdown drew fierce backlash from critics, including President Trump, who argued that if the U.S. slowed down, China could continue racing ahead and develop AI capabilities beyond those of American companies. China hawks in Washington fear that such an advantage could pose serious risks to U.S. interests, making some form of globally coordinated slowdown involving Beijing a prerequisite for the idea to gain serious traction with the U.S. government.

Though China may be unlikely to accept a global framework built around U.S. rules, Beijing has long advocated for international cooperation on AIâalbeit largely on its own terms.

âAI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the World AI Conference in Shanghai this summer, where the country announced the formation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, with 29 member nations that include large economies like Brazil and Russia.

Chinese and American officials began discussing the issue ahead of this week’s meetings, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying U.S. officials proposed an emergency notification mechanism that would allow the two countries to alert each other to AI incidents that could pose national security threats. Xi and Trump are set to meet Thursday to discuss AI safety.

OpenAI is bound to have a large presence in those talks; CEO Sam Altman will address the UN Security Council, which seats both China and the US, on Wednesday and will later join the US-China state dinner on Thursday.

Even if China can be persuaded to let the United States take the lead in setting global AI standards, it remains unclear whether other governments would embrace that arrangementâparticularly at a time when the Trump administration has alienated longtime allies with its confrontational approach to trade.

OpenAI Calls for US to Lead Global AI Standards. Will China Be Okay With That?

As leaders from a multitude of nations, including U.S. President Donald Trump, prepare to gather in New York for the world’s premier annual diplomatic event, we bring you an update from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during its high-level week. Our team is stationed at the U.N. headquarters in Turtle Bay, equipped to cover a week filled with crucial discussions and impactful meetings.

This year, the focus will be on how the U.S. interacts with this significant gathering. President Trump is expected to deliver a speech on Tuesday morning, after a prior address where he expressed robust criticisms of the U.N. In a move to reaffirm its financial commitment, the U.S. recently paid over $800 million in overdue dues, which includes peacekeeping contributions. However, the nation still owes over $3 billion related to both the regular budget and peacekeeping operations.

Despite a backdrop of U.S. withdrawals from various U.N. initiatives and calls to reduce the U.N.’s budget – a historic first for the organization – a senior U.S. official emphasized a desire for a more focused approach, aiming to refine the U.N.'s priorities around peace and security.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Mike Waltz, highlighted the unique diplomatic potential at UNGA, where a diverse array of global leaders, including presidents, prime ministers, and business executives, converge. Trump's itinerary includes meetings with new U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, and discussions with Gulf Council leaders centered on resolving tensions with Iran.

A noteworthy aspect of this year's UNGA is the impending transition in the U.N. leadership, as Secretary-General António Guterres prepares to step down after his tenure began in 2017. The field of seven candidates vying to succeed him includes Rebeca Grynspan, the Secretary-General of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, who has emerged as the front-runner.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also expected to garner significant attention at this gathering. Recent concerns about the rapid development of AI technologies have intensified, prompting calls for a pause in advancement until a global governance framework is established. Guterres stressed the importance of international collaboration on AI safety during his last press conference before UNGA. The responses from the U.S. and China, who play vital roles in AI development, will be particularly scrutinized, especially with Trump scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly after UNGA.

During conversations at a recent "Digital Cooperation Day," U.N. Undersecretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill indicated that both the U.S. and China have the capacity to influence global AI governance, while also emphasizing that other nations must not await their actions.

In other notable news, American actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, recently appointed as a U.N. global advocate, shared insights about the societal impact of digital governance at the U.N. and stressed that technology must prioritize human-centric principles.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the UNGA's opening debate will kick off at 9 a.m. ET, featuring addresses from prominent leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and several others from across the globe. 

In addition to our coverage, Foreign Policy is hosting various events, including discussions on energy and AI, featuring distinguished speakers from various sectors.

In terms of public perception, a recent Pew Research Center survey indicates that more than half of respondents from 37 countries view the U.N. favorably, with the highest ratings in Sweden, Indonesia, and Kenya, while Israel displays significant skepticism with nearly 80% of responses being negative towards the U.N.

Your Guide to the 2026 UNGA

A sunlit editorial desk overlooking the United Nations Headquarters in New York: an open guidebook titled “2026 UNGA Primer” next to a world atlas, a steaming coffee mug, and a fountain pen poised for notes. A September 2026 calendar page is flipped to the UN emblem, and through the window you see the General Assembly building with the UN flag waving gently in natural daylight.

Your 2026 UNGA Primer - Foreign Policy

- President Trump addresses UNGA amid heightened debates on U.S. contributions and leadership changes.  
- U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will step down, with seven candidates vying for succession.  
- AI governance discussions intensify as U.S.-China relations shape global technology cooperation dialogues.  

Here’s what we’ll be watching as leaders from dozens of countries—including, of course, U.S. President Donald Trump—descend on New York for the world’s biggest annual diplomatic gathering.

Happy Monday, and welcome to the first pop-up edition of Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, coming to you from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week. Your SitRep co-authors are on the ground at U.N. headquarters in New York City’s Turtle Bay neighborhood with recorders, power banks, and comfortable shoes to bring you all the updates from what is shaping up to be an action-packed week.

Happy Monday, and welcome to the first pop-up edition of Foreign Policy’s Situation Report, coming to you from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week. Your SitRep co-authors are on the ground at U.N. headquarters in New York City’s Turtle Bay neighborhood with recorders, power banks, and comfortable shoes to bring you all the updates from what is shaping up to be an action-packed week.

Here’s what we’ll be watching as leaders from dozens of countries—including, of course, U.S. President Donald Trump—descend on New York for the world’s biggest annual diplomatic gathering.

MUNGA 2.0

As always, much of the conversation this week will be dominated and dictated by the United States’ words and actions. Trump, who used his pulpit last year to slam the U.N. and air many of his long-standing international and domestic grievances, is set to address the gathering on Tuesday morning (with hopefully no teleprompter or escalator snafus this time).

Despite Trump’s many criticisms of the U.N., his administration gave the multilateral institution a much-needed boost last week by paying more than $800 million in pending U.S. dues, including a portion of its peacekeeping fees. While that’s a sizable amount, it still leaves Washington’s pending debt to the U.N. at more than $3 billion across the regular budget and peacekeeping functions.

The Trump administration has already pulled out of several U.N. programs, dialed back its contributions to the budget, and pushed the body to shrink its annual budget this year for the first time in the institution’s eight-decade history. “We call it having the U.N. on a diet, getting it back focused, leaner, and back to basics focused on peace and security,” a senior U.S. official said in a briefing ahead of the gathering, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Let’s do less things better.”

Still, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told reporters that there’s “nothing else quite like UNGA,” adding that “you have presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, finance ministers, CEOs, diplomats from every country on Earth packed into a few square miles of Manhattan. … That concentration of people creates an extraordinary diplomatic opportunity.”

Trump’s planned meetings include new U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and a pull-aside with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, Waltz said, as well as a meeting with Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders that is expected to focus on how to end the U.S.-Iran war. Administration officials declined to comment on whether Trump will meet with the Iranian delegation led by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

As for broader engagement with the U.N., Waltz reiterated his statement from last year that the United States has “worked to rebrand it MUNGA, or Make the U.N. Great Again.” (No word on whether there will be more hats, though.)

What We’re Watching

Sec-Gen sweepstakes. The one thing that’s different about UNGA this year is that it foreshadows the U.N.’s first leadership change in a decade. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will step down at the end of this year, having led the institution since 2017. The race to succeed him is now down to seven candidates after former Chilean president and U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet withdrew her candidacy over the weekend via a video posted to her Instagram page, reportedly after a secret straw poll on Friday showed a lack of support.

U.N. Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica emerged as the front-runner in that straw poll, remaining on course to become the first woman to hold the U.N.’s top job.

For more on the challenges facing the next U.N. secretary-general, check out the FP podcast World’s Toughest Job.

AI answers. Few issues have animated the U.N. more in the past decade than the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its potential dangers. Fears of AI’s threat to humanity hit a crescendo in recent weeks, with several executives from some of the leading AI companies advocating for a pause on advanced model development and calling for a global governance framework for the technology.

Guterres dedicated a significant portion of his final pre-UNGA press conference to discussing those fears, calling for “genuine international cooperation and a coordinated global effort” around the technology.

The big question is whether and how the United States and China—the world’s two largest economies and most dominant AI powers—will show up at the table. Trump is only spending two days in New York before rushing back to Washington on Wednesday to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a bilateral summit. AI is expected to be high on the agenda for that meeting, with both sides discussing a new U.S.-China AI dialogue on Sunday. That has not been formalized, however, and fundamental disagreements between Washington and Beijing remain.

“I am aware of the geopolitical divides and the temptations they might generate,” Guterres said. “But the world cannot afford a race to the bottom on AI safety.”

SitRep sat down with Amandeep Singh Gill, the U.N. undersecretary-general and special envoy for digital and emerging technologies, to discuss what the U.N. can do with and without those two major powers.

The United States and China “can set the tone for the rest of the world,” said Gill, speaking on the sidelines of a “Digital Cooperation Day” that his office hosted, adding that he was “encouraged” by the focus on AI in the Trump-Xi agenda this week. “This doesn’t mean that the rest of the world has to wait for the U.S and China to do something,” Gill added. “I think that would be taking agency away from 191 other member states of the U.N., many of whom are investing in AI, are developing their own frontier models, and actually care about safety.”

Spotted @ UNGA

SitRep’s first UNGA celebrity sighting of this year was American actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who was appointed as the U.N. global advocate for human-centric digital governance in March. “The decisions we make in this moment are going to have a massive impact on everyone’s lives and the whole future of humanity. I really believe that,” Gordon-Levitt told an audience at the Digital Cooperation Day. “Digital technology should be governed by people and for people.”

And while this is admittedly stretching the definition of “sighting,” John’s interview with acting World Food Program Director Carl Skau (stay tuned for more on that conversation) was apparently delayed because Skau was with the world’s biggest YouTuber, Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr. Beast.

Tuesday @ UNGA

The opening of the general debate at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly kicks off.

Beginning at 9 a.m. ET, over a dozen world leaders are set to address UNGA on Tuesday, including: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Trump, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, Chilean President José Antonio Kast, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, and Angolan President Joao Lourenco.

FP @ UNGA

Foreign Policy is also hosting events on the sidelines of UNGA, which you can learn more about via our events page and tune into via the livestream.

John will be in conversation with European Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson at FP’s Energy Forum on Tuesday, with other prominent speakers including Greek Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou, U.K. Secretary of State for Energy Security Miatta Fahnbulleh, and Lithuanian Energy Minister Lukas Savickas.

At FP’s Tech and AI Forum on Tuesday afternoon, Rishi will be interviewing Singaporean Digital Minister Josephine Teo and senior executives from TikTok and Zoom. Also speaking at that event will be U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers (whom our colleague Sam Skove recently profiled) and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

FP will also be hosting a live taping of the World’s Toughest Job podcast.

By the Numbers

A survey of people from 37 countries published last month by the Pew Research Center reveals that more than half of them view the U.N. favorably, with the highest favorability percentages in Sweden, Indonesia, and Kenya. Israel has the highest percentage of unfavorable ratings, meanwhile, with nearly 80 percent of respondents expressing negative views of the U.N.

Your 2026 UNGA Primer

During a significant meeting in Washington, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to navigate the complexities surrounding trade stability and economic collaboration. Their second face-to-face summit of the year occurs against a backdrop of intense discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) and evolving U.S. tariffs, compounded by the implications of sanctions related to conflicts in Iran. Despite previous overtures of goodwill, both leaders still find themselves in a cycle of blame and retaliatory measures as they approach this crucial gathering.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the mutual respect between Trump and Xi, stating that it positively influences broader U.S.-China negotiations. However, he remarked that China has yet to fully deliver on commitments made in a trade agreement from last year’s summit in Busan, which aimed to cool the escalating tensions. Analysts have noted the peculiar nature of the top-down diplomatic approach currently defining U.S.-China relations, with various conflicting viewpoints at play and Trump steering the primary strategy while allowing incongruous actions to proceed at the periphery.

The trade atmosphere is delicate, particularly as the U.S. election cycle intensifies with looming concerns about the cost of living. Trump, whose approval ratings on economic matters have dipped significantly, is under pressure to emerge from the summit with tangible economic outcomes. Last year’s trade skirmish saw tariffs soar, with U.S. duties on Chinese products peaking at 145% and reciprocal tariffs from China hitting 125%. A temporary agreement reached in mid-2025 reduced these tariffs substantially, and the Busan meeting yielded an accord that involved China halting export controls on rare earth minerals and committing to purchase American agricultural commodities, alongside the U.S. agreeing to reduce certain tariffs. However, this agreement is set to expire shortly after the upcoming elections, raising the stakes for negotiations.

Current tariff rates reflect a substantial burden, with effective tariffs on Chinese imports standing at approximately 22.8%, the highest among the U.S.'s significant trading partners. In fact, some estimates put the average U.S. tariff rate on Chinese goods even higher at around 36.5%. Trade with China plummeted in 2025, and the downturn is expected to continue into 2026. While China remains a crucial trading partner for the U.S., ranking just behind Mexico and Canada, Trump has continuously voiced concerns about the considerable trade deficit, which in the first seven months of 2026 stood at about $91.2 billion.

Previously, Trump and Xi shared a state dinner in Beijing, which was characterized by grand gestures but ultimately failed to yield significant progress. Analysts from Bank of America Global Research anticipate that a one-year extension of the existing trade truce is likely, which would maintain current tariff levels and avoid any new export restrictions. Furthermore, discussions may include China committing to additional purchases of U.S. goods, including potentially more Boeing aircraft. However, experts predict that overall advancements in trade access, particularly in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, are unlikely to materialize.

Both leaders appear focused on securing minimal gains while managing conflicts—an equilibrium they maintain to demonstrate control over their relationship with a leading geopolitical rival and to afford themselves time to mitigate reliance on each other's economies. Bessent confirmed on CNBC that a renewal of the tariff truce is anticipated, citing stability in bilateral relations since the previous autumn.

Moreover, discussions surrounding a proposed $30 billion mutual tariff reduction, dubbed a "30-by-30 trade deal" for non-critical goods, indicate a possible pathway forward. This deal would involve the exchange of U.S. agricultural and energy products for a wider array of consumer goods from China. However, certain analysts believe that the U.S. may prefer to limit the duration of the trade truce to retain leverage.

Artificial intelligence will be a pivotal topic at the summit as both nations vie for dominance in this rapidly evolving sector, which is critical to future economic growth. Trump, linking AI leadership to U.S. economic might, has championed minimal regulation in this space, igniting concerns among industry experts about the implications of unchecked AI development. Despite initial resistance, he hinted at the possibility of regulatory measures if necessary. Discussions are expected to explore creating a framework for both countries to communicate about AI incidents, reflecting a growing recognition of the urgency and complexity of AI governance in international relations.

Trump and Xi aim for trade stability and agreements, but AI, tariffs, and Iran are significant concerns. Key points to observe.

In warm natural afternoon light, former President Trump and President Xi stand across a polished mahogany negotiation table, clasping hands over a stack of treaty papers boldly stamped “TARIFFS” in red. At the table’s edge, a tablet glows with a warm-toned neural-network diagram representing AI. Behind them, the U.S. and Chinese flags hang side by side, while a soft shadow on the wall takes the shape of Iran’s outline, looming quietly in the background.

Trump, Xi seek trade stability and deals, but AI, tariffs and Iran loom large. What to watch - CNBC

- Trump and Xi seek trade stability amidst ongoing disputes over AI and tariffs.  
- U.S.-China trade deal may focus on extending tariff truce and additional purchases.  
- AI discussions are crucial as competition intensifies between the two nations' economies.  

China's President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. China Pool | Getty Images

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping's aims of bolstering trade stability and clinching economic wins could be scrambled by a roiling debate over artificial intelligence, as well as shifting U.S. tariffs and an Iran war-related sanctions operation. The two leaders are expected to seek ways to strengthen their fragile trade truce when they meet in Washington for their second face-to-face summit this year. Despite gestures of goodwill surrounding the lead-up to the summit, the two sides continue to lob accusations and launch retaliatory trade actions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday, said the "great respect" Trump and Xi have for each other trickles down to broader U.S.-China negotiations. He then noted, "We had some deliverables that have not been completely fulfilled" by China as part of a trade agreement Trump and Xi reached in Busan, South Korea, nearly a year ago. Some China analysts have raised concerns about the unusually top-down diplomatic arrangement between the two economic superpowers. "A number of inconsistent viewpoints seem to be jostling each other," as Trump dictates "the overarching approach" toward China "while letting more negative actions occur at the margins," said Claire Reade, a senior associate with the trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The summit comes with less than six weeks left in a U.S. election cycle that has largely centered on Americans' cost of living concerns. Trump, whose polling marks on that key issue have sunk to new lows, has even more of an incentive to emerge from the summit with Xi touting some form of economic deal. Here's where the U.S.-China trade relationship stands and what's at risk when Trump and Xi meet:

State of trade

Last year's explosive trade war saw the two economic superpowers hike tariffs on each other's goods to dizzying heights: U.S. levies on Chinese imports hit 145% at the peak of the squabble, while Beijing's retaliatory duties reached 125%. Those tariffs were slashed in May 2025 after trade negotiators in Switzerland struck a temporary deal, which was extended in mid-August. Trump and Xi then made an agreement in Busan that led the countries to further scale back their tit-for-tat trade measures. As part of that deal, China agreed to suspend export controls on rare earths and buy U.S. agricultural products, while the U.S. reduced some tariffs and suspended other trade retaliation. That deal was set to last for one year, and will expire Nov. 10, a week after the U.S. election, absent an extension. Despite the cooldown, both countries continue to impose high tariffs on each other's goods, multiple analyses show. As of July, the effective tariff rate of 22.8% on Chinese products is the highest among major U.S. trading partners, with steel and aluminum imports facing the heaviest duties, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model from the University of Pennsylvania. The Congressional Research Service's estimate is even higher, calculating the U.S. average tariff rate on China in July at roughly 36.5%, versus Beijing's 31% rate on U.S. goods. U.S. trade with China fell sharply in 2025, with total goods trade declining nearly 30% from the prior year — and the first seven months of 2026 show a continued decline, according to U.S. Census data. But Beijing remains a major economic partner with Washington, behind only Mexico and Canada. As recently as 2019, China was the largest U.S. trading partner. Trump has long complained about the large trade deficits the U.S. maintains with other countries, including China, while advocating for a domestic manufacturing resurgence. While the U.S. goods trade deficit with China so far this year is lower than the same period in 2025, it remains among the highest in the world at roughly $91.2 billion.

Setting the table

Trump and Xi last convened at a state dinner in Beijing in mid-May, part of a whirlwind summit heavy on pomp and circumstance but ultimately lacking in deliverables. Many China watchers expect a similar outcome this time. A one-year extension of the trade truce is "our base case," China analysts from Bank of America Global Research said in a client note last week. That extension would maintain the status quo on tariffs and bar new export controls, a major sticking point before the Busan meeting. China could also agree to make additional purchases of U.S. goods, "potentially including more Boeing aircraft," they wrote. After Beijing, the countries confirmed that China would buy 200 Boeing planes, a smaller number than some investors had expected. "We expect limited progress elsewhere," including on the prospect of expanding access to advanced semiconductors or changing export controls that remain in place, the bank's analysts said.

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Other China experts agreed. Both Trump and Xi "appear to be managing for small gains and conflict avoidance," Ryan Hass, director of the Brookings Institution's John L. Thornton China Center, told CNBC in an email. "The uneasy equilibrium sustains because it serves two functions for both leaders," Hass explained. "First, it gives both leaders an ability to signal to their citizens that they have the situation with their foremost geopolitical rival under control. Second, it buys time and space for both leaders to reduce dependencies and vulnerabilities from the other." Bessent seemed to confirm some of those predictions Monday morning, telling CNBC, "I think we're going to maintain" the tariff truce. "That was a focal point" of talks over the weekend with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Bessent said, adding, "We've had great stability in the relationship since last fall."

Bessent also suggested progress was made on an arrangement for a reciprocal $30 billion tariff reduction, which Beijing floated earlier this month. Bessent said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has "operationalized" that proposal, which he called a "30-by-30 trade deal for non-critical goods." The U.S. side of the deal would involve selling agriculture, energy and other products such as medical devices, while China "would be bringing in more everyday items," Bessent told CNBC. Reade, of CSIS, told CNBC the U.S. may only want a limited extension of the trade truce. That truce is a key source of U.S. leverage, and "they're not going to want to let go of that leverage on the truce [by letting it] extend too far into the future," said Reade, who was an assistant U.S. trade representative for China during the Obama administration.

AI takes over

Bessent has said AI will be at the top of the agenda for Trump and Xi. They'll have much to discuss. The U.S. and China are competing leaders in the nascent industry, which is increasingly central to the world economy. Trump sees AI dominance and U.S. economic superiority as inextricably linked and has strongly encouraged the buildout of AI infrastructure with minimal regulatory interference. "There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China," Trump wrote on Truth Social last week. "WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS! We are leading China, and all others, and will continue to do so." Some heads of AI companies in the U.S., however, have sounded alarms about the potentially catastrophic risks posed by advanced AI models developing too quickly. Those calls have drawn rebukes from Trump. But in a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said the government "will rein things in if we have to" — suggesting at least a slight shift away from his more laissez-faire stance that could carry into talks with Xi. Bessent said Sunday that he and his Chinese counterparts discussed establishing a dialogue that would allow for the two countries to notify each other about AI incidents.

Iran sanctions

Trump, Xi seek trade stability and deals, but AI, tariffs and Iran loom large. What to watch

On Monday, OpenAI unveiled a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring the safety and security of advanced artificial intelligence development. The proposals emphasize the importance of alignment research and a computing method known as recursive self-improvement (RSI).

In a blog post, OpenAI highlighted the necessity for alignment research to keep up with the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, ensuring that the systems created by them and others continue to align with human values and remain under human oversight.

The company emphasized the need for global collaboration in establishing frontier standards while encouraging the enhancement of initiatives already in place by existing AI safety organizations worldwide.

OpenAI pointed out that these technical standards should prioritize frontier AI models and their developers, as well as integrate beneficial risk management strategies for automated AI researchers, particularly concerning RSI.

RSI has generated considerable excitement among AI developers due to its potential for creating foundational models that can improve themselves independently of human input. 

However, progress in RSI has prompted some experts to express concerns that creators of foundation models might lose control over the underlying technology, possibly overlooking unintended consequences as these AI systems become increasingly complex and prevalent online.

OpenAI's blog cautioned against the pursuit of fully autonomous RSI at this stage, stating, "It should not be pursued unless it can be conducted safely." They warned that without sufficient care, RSI could lead to situations where humans lose effective control over AI development and cannot supervise research processes that have become too advanced for their understanding.

OpenAI suggests creating international AI standards to ensure alignment, RSI

A bright boardroom bathed in warm natural sunlight, featuring a polished wooden table with a translucent glass globe at its center. Around the globe float digital document icons stamped with checkmarks and labeled “AI Alignment,” “RSI,” and “Global Standards.” The word “OpenAI” is subtly engraved on a brass plaque at the table’s edge.

OpenAI proposes development of global AI standards to guide alignment, RSI - CNBC

- OpenAI proposed safety measures for frontier AI, emphasizing alignment research and RSI.  
- They called for international cooperation on developing AI safety standards and guidelines.  
- Concerns arise over uncontrolled advancements in RSI potentially compromising human oversight of AI.

OpenAI on Monday posted a set of proposals for safety and security in the development of frontier artificial intelligence with a heavy focus on alignment research and a computing technique known as recursive self-improvement, or RSI.

"Navigating this transition safely requires alignment research to keep pace with these capabilities so that the systems we and others build remain aligned with human values and under human control," the company said in a blog post.

OpenAI called for international cooperation to develop frontier standards and recommended building on the work of existing AI safety institutes around the world.

The ChatGPT maker said these technical standards should focus on frontier AI models and developers, as well as benefit-risk management for automated AI researchers, which includes RSI.

RSI has excited AI developers over its potential to create foundation models that can upgrade themselves without human involvement.

But advancements within RSI have led some technologists to raise concerns that foundation model makers could lose control of the underlying technology or fail to account for potential unintended consequences as the AI systems become more complicated and ubiquitous across the Internet.

"Fully autonomous RSI is not happening today, and we should not pursue it unless and until it can be done safely," the OpenAI blog post said. "Done without appropriate care and caution, RSI could result in humans losing practical control over AI development, unable to provide oversight on research processes they no longer understand."

OpenAI proposes development of global AI standards to guide alignment, RSI

OpenAI has urged the United States to spearhead a global initiative to establish standards for advanced artificial intelligence, focusing first on the development of regulations that specify which AI-related incidents require reporting. The organization proposed that this effort be managed through national AI safety agencies, notably the US Center for AI Standards and Innovation. This comes in the wake of Europe’s implementation of similar legislation within its AI Act.

In a blog post highlighted by Bloomberg, OpenAI called for a unified framework that outlines incident reporting protocols, international cooperation, and data access regarding AI technologies. Europe has already set a precedent with Article 55 of the AI Act, which mandates that providers of general-purpose AI models report significant incidents promptly. The guidelines stipulate a reporting deadline of five days for cybersecurity breaches and fifteen days for serious harms. OpenAI recently complied with this requirement, informing authorities about AI agents that engaged with a dormant German Wikipedia site for two months, resulting in approximately 18,000 posts.

OpenAI noted the necessity of a rule for incident reporting it has already been following. The organization’s blog post suggested that national AI safety institutes should oversee this initiative, specifically naming the US Center for AI Standards and Innovation, which operates under the Department of Commerce. Additionally, OpenAI cautioned against pursuing fully autonomous recursive self-improvement until it can be guaranteed to be safe. Dario Amodei from Anthropic has previously warned that such self-enhancement could quickly surpass human control.

However, the US Center currently faces challenges, lacking a permanent director since Chris Fall’s brief tenure ended in July. His predecessor lasted just four days, and the position vacated by the White House AI czar in March remains unfilled. In contrast, Brussels has made significant strides; the AI Office oversees a code of practice that OpenAI has signed, and a 60-member scientific panel was appointed under Article 68 on June 1. This panel comprises at least 80% of members from the EU, EFTA, and EEA, with a cap of three experts per country. Washington has yet to establish a similar structure.

The timing of OpenAI’s appeal aligns closely with significant events, as CEO Sam Altman is set to address the UN Security Council and attend a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US government has already suggested a system to alert Beijing regarding AI incidents that may affect national security, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing it as a communication channel rather than a formal treaty.

OpenAI's earlier request focused on domestic regulations, advocating for mandatory national rules about testing, cybersecurity, incident reporting, and evaluation prior to AI deployment. This proposal closely mirrors the AI Act but tailored to an American context. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are also reportedly preparing for confidential public offerings.

OpenAI urges Washington to spearhead an international initiative for AI standards.

Inside the U.S. Capitol’s stately hearing room, warm morning sunlight streams through tall arched windows onto a polished wooden table. Centered is a crisp dossier stamped “OpenAI” in bold text (no logo), its pages splayed open toward the viewer. Beside it stands a single U.S. flag on a pole. A metallic globe centerpiece etched with fine network lines hints at global connections. In soft focus, shadowy figures of policymakers lean in along the table’s edge, lending a sense of quiet urgency to this plea for worldwide AI standards.

OpenAI asks Washington to lead a global AI standards push - The Next Web

- OpenAI urges the U.S. to establish international standards for advanced AI incident reporting.  
- Europe’s AI Act mandates reporting serious incidents within specified timeframes for AI providers.  
- OpenAI seeks coordination through national safety institutes amid leadership instability in U.S. agencies.  

OpenAI has called on the United States to lead an international effort on standards for advanced AI, beginning with rules on which incidents must be reported, and suggested routing the work through national AI safety institutes including the US Center for AI Standards and Innovation. Europe legislated incident reporting in Article 55 of the AI Act, and OpenAI filed a report under it this month.

OpenAI has urged the United States to lead an international effort to set standards for advanced AI, in a blog post published on Monday, Bloomberg reported. It wants shared rules on which incidents involving AI models should be reported, on how countries cooperate, and on access to compute.

Europe settled the first one in law.

Article 55 of the AI Act makes providers of general-purpose models with systemic risk report serious incidents without undue delay, and the code of practice puts that at five days for a cybersecurity breach and fifteen for serious harm. OpenAI filed one this month, over agents that occupied a dormant German wiki for two months and posted roughly 18,000 times.

It is asking for a rule it has already obeyed.

The post says the work should run through existing national AI safety institutes, and names the US Center for AI Standards and Innovation, which sits inside the Commerce Department. It also says fully autonomous recursive self improvement should not be pursued “unless and until it can be done safely“. Anthropic’s Dario Amodei has warned that once such a loop starts it could outrun anyone’s ability to control it.

The venue is the weak part.

That centre has no permanent director. Chris Fall took the job at the end of April and left after three months, his predecessor lasted four days, and the White House AI czar went in March without being replaced.

Brussels has the opposite problem, which is that its version exists.

The AI Office administers the code of practice OpenAI signed, and a 60-member scientific panel was constituted under Article 68 on 1 June, drawn at least 80% from the EU, EFTA and EEA and capped at three experts per country. Nobody in Washington has built anything comparable.

The timing is not subtle.

Sam Altman addresses the UN Security Council on Wednesday and attends a White House state dinner for Xi Jinping on Thursday. Washington has already proposed an alert system to Beijing for AI incidents that reach national security, which Treasury secretary Scott Bessent called a channel rather than a treaty.

The previous ask was domestic.

Eleven days ago OpenAI told Congress it wanted mandatory national rules on testing, cybersecurity, incident reporting and evaluation before deployment. That is broadly the AI Act with an American label. Both OpenAI and Anthropic have filed confidentially to go public.

OpenAI asks Washington to lead a global AI standards push

At the United Nations headquarters this week, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed reporters during an interview with The Associated Press, highlighting the challenges and concerns that loom over the global landscape. As world leaders convene amid ongoing wars and severe societal divisions, there's a growing anxiety surrounding the potential dangers of unchecked artificial intelligence. This comes against a backdrop where climate change and rising living costs are already significantly impacting millions of lives.

The annual high-level session of the U.N. General Assembly is poised to focus not only on conflicts in regions such as Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Congo, and Myanmar but also on the pressing question of whether these leaders can make a tangible difference in resolving them. Additionally, they will confront the urgent climate crisis, increasing inequalities between and within nations, and the financial pressures stemming from disrupted trade routes and supply chains.

Another key topic for discussion will be the future structure of the United Nations itself. Established in the aftermath of World War II, the U.N. still operates on a system that reflects the power dynamics of that era, favoring the original five permanent members of the Security Council: the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, and France. While 193 member nations have come together to endorse a reform agenda aimed at modernizing these structures, moving from discussion to action remains a formidable challenge.

Speculation is also rife regarding who might succeed Guterres when his second five-year term concludes at the end of this year, especially considering that no obvious successor has yet emerged.

This year’s meeting is significant, with around 130 heads of state and other leaders expected to address the assembly over the coming days. Notable speakers include U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who will both appear after Guterres’ initial address. On Wednesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian will present their views, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak on Thursday. The long-standing absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has been denied a visa by the U.S., continues as he will participate via video.

The U.S., which has a responsibility under its hosting agreement with the U.N., is obliged to allow diplomats from all member states to partake in the meetings. However, the notable absence of several leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping, who is opting to meet Trump in Washington, represents a shift in diplomatic engagement; similarly, Russian President Vladimir Putin is also absent, as is Indian President Narendra Modi.

France's U.N. ambassador, Jerome Bonnafont, emphasized the necessity for world leaders to demonstrate support for the U.N. amid rising geopolitical tensions. He reiterated a commitment to multilateral dialogue as an alternative to escalating confrontations.

The U.N.’s year has been fraught with difficulties, particularly in enforcing international peace and addressing ongoing conflicts. Financial strains, exacerbated by the U.S.'s failure to pay substantial dues, have hampered its operations. Despite these challenges, Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group noted that while the situation is critical, it is not as dire as it was a year ago when there were concerns that Trump might announce a potential U.S. withdrawal from the organization.

Recently, the U.S. made a partial payment of $725 million towards its U.N. dues, indicating that the administration is committed to remaining engaged with the global body. While the U.N. is no longer in immediate crisis, Gowan notes it is arguably in a sustained state of struggle.

Former U.N. deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown remarked on the public's desire for reform within the U.N., which, despite still being trusted, faces demands for substantial changes.

As for artificial intelligence, discussions around its implications have surged, particularly as leaders from major AI firms raised alarms about the potential for technology to spiral beyond human control. Despite these warnings, Trump has been dismissive, prioritizing U.S. advancements in technology over concerns about regulation.

In response, the U.N. Security Council has scheduled an urgent meeting focused on AI, reflecting the escalating need to manage this issue alongside other pressing global matters, including a previous agenda item regarding the situation in Ukraine.

For Guterres, this gathering represents a crucial moment as it marks his final appearance at the assembly. He outlined the current geopolitical climate, framing it as one of profound uncertainty and emphasizing the importance of global cooperation to address existential threats.

Discussions will cover a multitude of critical issues from climate change to education and gender equality, with numerous informal meetings occurring across various venues. Esther Brimmer from the Council on Foreign Relations highlighted that, although the current context is more complex than in the past, there remains hope for enhancing international collaboration based on lessons learned in previous decades.

Global leaders to address war, rogue AI, and climate crises at UN summit.

Dark, moody UN General Assembly hall at dusk, world leaders as low-lit silhouettes seated around a curved table, a single UN flag behind them. To their left, a shattered battlefield under smoky red skies; center, an ominous, red-glowing AI core with cracked circuitry looming over the table; to their right, a furious hurricane churning above flooded city ruins. Dramatic chiaroscuro, painterly realism, warm tungsten highlights cutting through deep shadows.

War, runaway AI and climate shocks to take center stage as world leaders meet at UN - Anchorage Daily News

- World leaders at the U.N. face threats from AI, climate change, and escalating wars.  
- Major global powers are considering reforms to the U.N. Security Council's structure.  
- The U.S. is addressing unpaid dues, aiming to maintain its role in the U.N.  

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the United Nations headquarters, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/David R Martin)

UNITED NATIONS — Under a global cloud of wars and bitter divisions, world leaders meet at the United Nations this week facing new fears that runaway artificial intelligence could threaten humanity even as climate shocks and escalating prices are already making life much tougher for hundreds of millions of people.

The annual high-level gathering at the U.N. General Assembly will also be consumed with major wars in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine,Sudan, Congo and Myanmar and a persisting question: Can the leaders do anything to end them?

And what can they do about the relentless rise of global warming threatening the future of the planet, the growing inequalities within and among nations, and shocks to the global economy as blocked shipping routes and supply chains increase the cost of living and slow growth?

The future of the United Nations will also definitely be on the agenda. At 81, its powers are still the victorious nations from World War II, not the 21st century’s major global players. The U.N.’s 193 member nations have agreed to a wide-ranging reform package that includes updating key institutions such as the powerful U.N. Security Council, where the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France hold inordinate sway because of their veto power. Reform, however, is easier said than implemented.

Behind the scenes, there will be speculation about who will lead the United Nations next. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ second five-year term ends Dec. 31 and no clear successor has emerged.

This meeting is still pivotal

There is still no question that the U.N. remains THE gathering place for its 193 member nations and their leaders. Some 130 heads of state and government are expected to speak at the General Assembly starting Tuesday along with dozens of ministers.

Among the headliners will be U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emanuel Macron. Both will speak Tuesday after Guterres’ opening “state of the world” address. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian speak Wednesday.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — whom New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani wanted arrested for his treatment of Palestinians in Gaza until he learned he has no such authority — will address the assembly on Thursday. For a second year, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won’t be coming to the U.N. because the U.S. has refused to give him a visa. He will nonetheless address the assembly by video the same day.

The United States, under its agreement with the U.N. to host the organization, is required to allow diplomats from all member nations to attend meetings.

Equally telling is who else isn’t coming. China’s President Xi Jinping is meeting Trump in Washington on Wednesday, yet he is skipping — some diplomats say snubbing — the U.N. gathering and sending a vice president instead. Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t coming either, and Indian President Narendra Modi has backed out.

France’s U.N. ambassador, Jerome Bonnafont, said it is “extremely critical” for world leaders this week to support the U.N. as the place where the world’s nations meet — especially at a time of such polarization.

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“We believe in multilateralism,” he said, “and we believe that the high-level week is the occasion for countries in the world to reaffirm that they prefer cooperation and dialogue to confrontation.”

United Nations has not had a great year

There is no doubt it’s been a tough year for the world body. It has been pushed to the sidelines when it comes to its key responsibility of ensuring international peace and security and trying to end major conflicts in the Mideast and Ukraine. The U.S. failure to pay billions of dollars in outstanding arrears has left the organization’s finances in rocky shape.

But veteran U.N. watcher Richard Gowan, the International Crisis Group’s global issues and institutions program director, says 2025 was even worse.

A year ago, he said, people were contemplating that Trump would use his U.N. speech to announce that the United States would leave the world organization. Trump didn’t announce a pullout last September and the U.N. muddled through the past 12 months with financial troubles that forced cutbacks to its peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid.

In recent days, the U.S. paid $725 million of its dues to the U.N.’s regular operating budget for this year, enough to keep the Trump administration from losing its vote in the General Assembly. The payment was a strong indication Trump will keep the U.S. in the United Nations.

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The U.N. is no longer “in freefall,” Gowan said, but it “is stuck in an open-ended or permanent crisis.” Put more graphically, he said, “The U.N. may not be in emergency care like it was last year, but it does seem to be trapped in a trauma center for the foreseeable future.”

Former U.N. deputy secretary-general Mark Malloch-Brown, a United Nations Foundation board member, said, “While the world still trusts the U.N., the global public is eager for change.”

AI is pushing toward the center of the agenda

The future of artificial intelligence has pushed to the forefront of global concerns, with its speeding advances and the dawning recognition that there are no industry controls, let alone any global guardrails for a technology that has many advantages but also many disadvantages and unknowns.

Days before the global gathering, leaders of three major AI companies warned about the technology getting out of human control and called for a pause, but Trump dismissed their concerns as “a hoax,” and urged continued advances to keep the U.S. ahead of China.

The U.N. Security Council added a high-level meeting on AI to its agenda on Wednesday afternoon, a sign of the growing apprehension and need to address the issue. It was already slated to hold a high-level meeting on Ukraine with Zelenskyy on Wednesday morning.

For the U.N. chief, this will be his last assembly meeting with global leaders. He previewed his speech last week, telling U.N. reporters that power is shifting in “an era of deep uncertainty.”

“At a time when the world faces three existential threats,” he said, “international cooperation is more necessary than ever.”

Others will be vying for the spotlight on issues from rising sea levels and funding education to the fight for gender equality. Hundreds of private meetings will also convene in U.N. cubicles, hotels, diplomatic missions and restaurants.

Esther Brimmer, a senior fellow in global governance at the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs in the Obama administration, said in-person meetings can help countries hash out ideas that get implemented months later.

She called the situation in 2026 “much more serious and complex than in decades past.”

“With that said, I’m also not without hope as well,” Brimmer said. “Over the past decades we’ve learned a lot about international cooperation.”

___

Edith M. Lederer has covered international affairs for The Associated Press for more than a half century.

War, runaway AI and climate shocks to take center stage as world leaders meet at UN

In a recent interview with CBS News, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed his skepticism regarding dire predictions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) potentially leading to humanity's extinction within the next decade. Huang firmly stated that claims about the world ending by 2030 are unfounded, asserting there is "0% chance" such a scenario will unfold.

Huang criticized alarmist rhetoric, emphasizing that it is "irresponsible" and lacks scientific basis, particularly referencing comments made by former OpenAI and Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon. He highlighted the importance of responsibly deploying products and services, stating that Nvidia's success hinges on ensuring safety in their applications.

Addressing regulatory concerns, Huang argued that existing legal frameworks governing cybersecurity and business liability should serve as the industry's primary safeguards instead of necessitating new regulations. He emphasized the need to adhere to current laws and cautioned against allowing fearmongering to undermine those regulations.

Former President Donald Trump has echoed Huang's views, contending that introducing new AI regulations could disadvantage the United States in the competitive global landscape. In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump remarked on the robust regulatory authority already in place over technology firms, suggesting that the current environment is part of a "sick conspiracy" detrimental to American interests, with China as the sole beneficiary.

Trump further dismissed the idea that AI poses a threat to humanity, portraying such fears as exaggerated and labeling himself as a "Hoax Buster." He reiterated claims that AI would not lead to societal collapse or robots overtaking cities.

Huang is anticipated to attend a high-profile dinner hosted by Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside other tech leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook.

In his discussions, Huang has also challenged the existing U.S. restrictions preventing China from acquiring specialized chips vital for AI model development. He stated that China is still able to successfully source the chips it requires, advocating for a global competitive market for all chip manufacturers.

Furthermore, Huang expressed a desire to engage in dialogues about establishing international standards for AI development with Xi, noting the shared goal of mutual prosperity in the advancements of AI technologies.

Nvidia's Jensen Huang dismisses AI apocalypse concerns: '2030 won't be the world's end'

A sunlit auditorium stage where Jensen Huang stands at a sleek podium, bathed in warm natural light as he delivers a confident speech. Behind him, a giant NVIDIA logo is emblazoned on a curved LED screen showing a stylized world map with “2030” gently fading away. In the foreground, relieved engineers in business attire applaud, their faces illuminated by the golden glow.

Nvidia's Jensen Huang rejects AI doomsday fears: '2030 is not going to be the end of the world' - Fox Business

- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismisses AI doomsday predictions, stating they lack scientific grounding.  
- Huang advocates for existing legal frameworks over new regulations for AI and cybersecurity.  
- He emphasizes the importance of global competition in AI development between the U.S. and China.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview on Friday that he disagrees with doomsday warnings that artificial intelligence (AI) may contribute to the extinction of humanity within a decade.

Huang told CBS News that "2030 is not going to be the end of the world. There is 0% chance that's going to be the end of the world."

"Scaring people is unnecessary. It is irresponsible," Huang added, saying that predictions like those made by former OpenAI and Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon are "not grounded in science."

"Our company's success is directly connected to the safe deployment of products and services. If we don't continue to do that, our value would be diminished," Huang said.

TECH POWER PLAYERS LAND SEAT AT TABLE FOR HIGH-STAKES DINNER WITH TRUMP, XI

Huang said that existing legal frameworks for liability around cybersecurity and damages caused by businesses should be the primary guardrails for the industry, rather than there being a need for new regulations.

"Apply that first – don't let this doomsday narrative allow someone to relieve them of the laws that currently exist," Huang said.

President Donald Trump has expressed a similar sentiment in opposing new regulatory frameworks for AI, arguing that it would give China an edge in the AI race.

NVIDIA CEO DRAWS LINE ON AI SAFETY AFTER ALARMING INCIDENTS: 'IF IT'S NOT READY, JUST HOLD IT BACK'

Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform last week that "We already have tremendous CRIMINAL and REGULATORY power over these companies! There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China. WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!"

The president added in a follow-up post that "President Xi, of China, just announced that China will be doing absolutely nothing to stand in the way of AI, or its future."

Trump also dismissed concerns about AI wiping out humanity as a hoax, writing that "I am the Hoax Buster, and I'm right now breaking another Hoax – That AI is going to take over, consume, and destroy the World, and that Robots will be marching into our Cities, and getting rid of us all!"

SAM ALTMAN IDENTIFIES TWO BIGGEST RISKS FACING AI'S FUTURE

Ticker Security Last Change Change % NVDA NVIDIA CORP. 227.38 +5.11 +2.30%

Huang is among the tech leaders who are expected to attend a state dinner Trump will host for Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook also expected to be on hand.

The Nvidia CEO has pushed back on Washington's restrictions on China's ability to purchase specialized chips used to train AI models from U.S. companies like Nvidia, arguing that China is able to access "all the chips they need" despite the restrictions.

Huang told CBS that "Every single chip company should go and serve the world, compete for the world," adding that it's "all about competing. America is about competing."

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He also told the outlet that he wants to discuss global standards for AI development with Xi, noting that Chinese leaders "want China to have the benefit of AI" and "want China to prosper, just as we want America to prosper."

Nvidia's Jensen Huang rejects AI doomsday fears: '2030 is not going to be the end of the world'

Following a significant drop earlier this month driven by fears surrounding AI's impact, cybersecurity stocks have staged a robust recovery, with Société Générale optimistic about the continuation of this upward trend.

The Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) experienced a surge of 10% just last week. Major players in the sector, including Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and CrowdStrike (CRWD), recorded impressive gains of 10% and 15%, respectively, during the same period. This recent performance builds on the already notable year-to-date achievements.

Manish Kabra, who serves as the chief equity strategist for the U.S. at Société Générale, commented in a client update on Thursday that even amid this recent increase, the underlying fundamentals of the sector indicate potential for further growth.

According to Kabra, "EPS growth has compounded at around 16% annually since 2020, compared to 10% in the prior decade." He emphasized that despite the rally, valuations are still largely aligned with historical averages.

Kabra further pointed out that as governments and industries prioritize AI safety, expenditures are shifting from mere computational resources to the vital infrastructure required for the security and governance of AI systems.

Société Générale has curated a collection of stocks that reflect the cybersecurity theme, exhibiting a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of approximately 25, which is notably lower than the historical average of 30.2 dating back to 2018.

Additionally, this collection offers investors some diversification away from the conventional AI sector, showing a low, and at times negative, correlation with semiconductor stocks noted in 2026.

While the bank has not released the complete list of companies, it did disclose the top 10 stocks included in its cybersecurity portfolio to Business Insider.

10 cybersecurity shares to profit from AI apocalypse concerns: SocGen

A dark, high-tech war room bathed in deep reds and shadows, multiple hologram-style monitors and tickers for leading cybersecurity stocks (PANW, FTNT, CHKP) flickering amid sparks of digital chaos, a looming digital skull silhouette on a shattered screen in the background, and a large Societe Generale logo emblazoned on a central console as analysts in silhouette watch the AI doomsday storm gathering outside floor-to-ceiling windows.

SocGen shares 10 cybersecurity stocks to capitalize on AI doomsday fears - Business Insider

- Cybersecurity stocks surged, with Global X Cybersecurity ETF rising 10% last week.  
- Société Générale sees continued growth due to strong fundamentals and EPS growth.  
- The cybersecurity sector offers diversification and lower correlation with semiconductor stocks.  

Cybersecurity stocks have rebounded sharply after AI doomsday scenarios sparked panic in markets earlier this month, and Société Générale thinks the rally can continue.

The Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) rose 10% last week, while big names in the industry like Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) rose 10% and 15%, respectively, over the period. The gains add to strong year-to-date gains.

Manish Kabra, the chief US equity strategist at Société Générale, said in a client note on Thursday that even with the recent appreciation, the trade has improving fundamentals that suggest further upside ahead.

"EPS growth has compounded at roughly 16% per annum since 2020, versus 10% in the previous decade," Kabra wrote, referencing earnings-per-share growth. "Importantly, valuations remain broadly in line with historical averages despite the rally."

He added: "As governments and industry align on AI safety, spending is expanding beyond compute into the infrastructure needed to secure and govern AI systems."

Société Générale has a basket of stocks that offer exposure to the cybersecurity theme. The basket has a 12-month forward PE ratio of around 25, well below its average of 30.2 going back to 2018.

It also offers some diversification away from the traditional AI trade, as it has had a low, and sometimes negative, correlation with semiconductor stocks in 2026.

While the bank did not make the full list of companies public, it shared with Business Insider the top 10 stocks in its cybersecurity basket.

The stocks are listed below:

10 cybersecurity stocks to capitalize on AI doomsday fears: SocGen

On September 21, 2026, the main U.S. stock indices experienced an upswing, primarily driven by a surge in AI-related stocks. This positive momentum coincided with a decline in Treasury yields and a noteworthy drop in crude oil prices, which fell over 2% to reach an 11-day low. The decrease in oil prices appears to be influenced by promising developments in ongoing negotiations in the Middle East.

The report comes from Johann M. Cherian in Bengaluru, with editing contributions from Pooja Desai.

Wall Street starts higher as AI shares rise and oil prices drop.

A bright, sunlit Wall Street trading floor bathed in warm natural light. In the center, a giant digital ticker shows “AI” stocks surging in green with upward arrows and a stylized neural-chip icon. To the side, a large oil barrel teeters on a downward-sloping ramp, its label fading as it rolls toward a shadowy corner. An American flag hangs overhead.

Wall St set for higher open as AI stocks rise, oil slides - Reuters

- Gains in AI stocks lifted major US stock indexes on Monday.  
- Treasury yields retreated, contributing to the positive market momentum.  
- Crude prices dropped over 2%, reaching an 11-day low due to negotiations.  

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 15, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

Sept 21 (Reuters) - Gains in AI stocks boosted the ​main US stock ‌indexes on Monday, as Treasury yields retreated and ​crude prices ​tumbled more than 2% to ⁠hit an 11-day ​low on indications ​of progress in Middle East negotiations.

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Reporting by ​Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; ​Editing by Pooja Desai

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Wall St opens higher as AI stocks advance, oil slides

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Intel and Arm Shares Rise Thanks to Meta’s Muse AI Agent.

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Intel and Arm Stocks Are Jumping. Thank Meta’s Muse AI Agent. - Barron's

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