Gordon Chang to Newsmax: AI Deal With China 'Unenforceable'
China Expert Advises Trump to Push AI in Summit, Warns of Enforcement Hurdles
Washington, D.C. – In a Sunday interview with Newsmax, Gordon Chang, a seasoned author and China specialist, urged former President Donald Trump to make artificial intelligence a top priority at his forthcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chang cautioned that any agreement reached on the technology would likely prove “nearly impossible to enforce.”
Chang, whose books and reports on Sino‑American relations have been cited by policymakers, said the rapid acceleration of AI capabilities in both countries makes it a critical, but also a delicate, topic for high‑level diplomacy. “Trump should prioritize artificial intelligence at his upcoming summit with President Xi,” he told Newsmax, underscoring the urgency of the issue in the context of the broader U.S.–China competition.
He added, “any AI agreement would be nearly impossible to enforce.” Chang explained that the very nature of AI—its ability to learn, adapt, and evolve—poses unique challenges for creating binding, enforceable rules. “Unlike traditional arms control agreements, the technical specifics of AI systems can change too quickly for a static treaty to remain relevant,” he noted.
The two leaders are slated to meet in the coming weeks, a meeting that has already attracted international attention as a potential turning point in U.S.–China relations. Analysts have highlighted that the U.S. has repeatedly called for a framework to govern AI development, citing concerns over data privacy, national security, and the potential for an AI‑driven arms race.
Chang’s remarks come amid a backdrop of growing calls from U.S. lawmakers and tech industry leaders to address the risks posed by AI. The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has convened hearings on AI ethics and regulation, while several bipartisan senators have introduced legislation aimed at establishing a national AI strategy.
“Given the pace at which AI is evolving, any agreement will have to be highly flexible, with mechanisms for rapid revision and mutual oversight,” Chang said. “Without that, enforcement is essentially a mirage.”
While the former president has maintained that he intends to focus on economic and security issues during the summit, Chang’s advice underscores the widening scope of the agenda. The U.S. administration’s previous attempts to negotiate AI rules with China have stalled, partly due to divergent interests over intellectual property and the strategic use of technology.
Chang concluded that, while an enforceable AI accord may be elusive, “the very discussion can serve as a starting point for building trust and setting norms.” He urged policymakers to view the summit not just as a diplomatic exercise but as a critical opportunity to shape the global trajectory of artificial intelligence.
The outcome of the meeting remains uncertain, but experts say that any progress, even incremental, will carry significant implications for global governance, economic competition, and the future of technology.
