Sanders Urges Trump to Negotiate AI Treaty with China

Sanders framed the initiative as the potential "deal of the century," drawing a direct comparison to the 1987 nuclear arms agreement between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. He contends that just as the Cold War powers moved to avert catastrophe, the United States and China bear a unique responsibility to curb the risks posed by super-intelligence.

President Trump, however, remains focused on a zero-sum competitive strategy. While acknowledging the rapid pace of development, he dismissed concerns about existential risks, asserting that the U.S. maintains a lead in the sector and intends to keep it that way, stating, "Whoever wins AI, wins." This stance reflects a broader tension as the administration prepares for an upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping, where AI governance is not currently prioritized.

Industry leaders and international observers express deep skepticism regarding the possibility of a successful accord. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently advocated for a strategic slowdown, yet questioned the feasibility of a global pact if rival nations refuse to participate. Experts, including Chang Jun Yan of Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, argue that because AI development is tethered to core national security interests, a cooperative agreement between Washington and Beijing remains highly improbable. Meanwhile, Beijing has criticized the U.S. narrative, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissing American rhetoric as fearmongering intended to secure technological hegemony.