Sen. McCormick Discusses Trump’s Upcoming Meeting with Xi Jinping

Senator Dave McCormick from Pennsylvania mentioned on Monday that President Trump’s forthcoming visit to Japan, where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, will focus on U.S. energy exports and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that the U.S. perceives China as its main adversary and threat.

During an interview on Breitbart News’ “Harnessing American Power,” McCormick responded to questions about what he expects from Trump regarding energy and AI, especially with the summit approaching.

“I think we have to start with our enemy, China,” he stated. While he expressed support for diplomatic relations with adversaries, he was clear that nothing from this meeting would change China’s status as a primary threat to the U.S. and its interests. “There should be no confusion about who we are dealing with here,” he added.

McCormick also suggested that issues related to Iran might come up, considering China’s dependency on Iranian energy and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East highlights the necessity for the U.S. to not only meet its own energy needs but to also boost energy exports globally. “This moment should re-emphasize the need for energy dominance,” he said.

On the topic of artificial intelligence, McCormick indicated that this would likely be a key point of discussion. He stressed that U.S. leadership in AI hinges significantly on domestic policy decisions.

“I’m confident AI will be central,” he remarked, highlighting the competitive nature of AI development with China. He noted that the outcome will depend more on U.S. actions than on what China does. McCormick also warned that China would relentlessly pursue its interests, including the theft of American technology.

“I don’t think we’re going to stop anything that China is going to do. They’re always going to act against our interests,” he commented regarding issues of technology theft. He encouraged taking proactive measures to counter these actions, mentioning his support for relevant legislation.

McCormick articulated the need for a cohesive AI policy framework that fosters innovation without causing regulatory fragmentation across states. “It depends on whether we can create an AI framework that doesn’t stifle innovation,” he added, expressing confidence in the U.S.’s potential for success in the AI sector.

He concluded by summarizing the key issues for discussion, including Fair Trade, rare earth minerals, Iran, and the broader AI framework, while cautioning against expecting too much assistance from China.