Congress seeks travel advisory upgrade and AI security pact before Trump meets Xi

With the Trump‑Xi summit on the horizon, Congress is pressing the executive branch to adopt a tougher stance on China’s technology and human‑rights record. The Senate proposal cites the National Defense Authorization Act as the legislative basis for imposing stricter export controls on AI chips, arguing that the United States cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to obtain next‑generation processors.

In addition, the resolution calls on the State Department to raise its travel advisory on China to Level 3, warning U.S. citizens of the heightened risk of arbitrary detention. It further recommends that the administration engage in a rapid, bilateral AI‑security accord that would establish baseline inspection and safety standards for Chinese AI development.

A virtual hearing on AI safety, scheduled for September 23, will feature experts such as Nobel laureate Jeffrey Hinton and retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan. The hearing aims to examine the dangers of fully autonomous AI systems and the potential for them to act contrary to human intent. Lawmakers also noted that major AI firms, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have yet to commit to testify, despite repeated invitations.