U.S.-China talks skip chip controls

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on May 15 that semiconductor export controls were “not a major topic” in his recent discussions with Chinese officials in Beijing. Greer’s remarks, reported by Reuters and carried in other outlets, underscored that one of the most contentious technology disputes between Washington and Beijing was not central to the latest round of trade contacts. At the same time, U.S. and Chinese officials are opening a separate channel on AI safety, while Beijing is contesting new U.S. testing and certification restrictions tied to the Federal Communications Commission. The result is a set of parallel tracks rather than a single technology negotiation. ### If chips were not the focus, what did Greer actually say? Jamieson Greer said in a May 15 interview that chip export controls were not a major part of the Beijing talks. Reuters reported that the comment suggested no near-term breakthrough on sales of advanced U.S. chips to China, including Nvidia’s H200 line, which Chinese officials and companies have sought greater access to. (newsbreak.com) Beijing has pressed Washington for relief from semiconductor restrictions for months. A Reuters report cited elsewhere in search results said China had previously sought a relaxation of AI-chip export controls as part of broader negotiations, but Greer’s latest description indicates the issue was not advanced in this round. (newsbreak.com) ### Why are AI safety talks moving on a different track? The New York Times reported on May 14 that the United States and China were preparing to begin discussions on AI safety even as broader strategic disputes remained in place. That reporting pointed to a narrower agenda focused on risks from advanced AI systems rather than trade concessions or export licensing. (investing.com) AI safety has increasingly been handled through government-to-government contacts distinct from trade enforcement and export-control policy. That separation matters because it allows both sides to keep talking on model risk, misuse and guardrails without first resolving disputes over chips, telecom equipment or market access. That is an inference from the separate tracks described in the reporting and regulatory actions. (incompliancemag.com) ### What is the FCC fight that China is objecting to? The Federal Communications Commission voted in late April on rules that bar recognition of testing labs and certification bodies in countries without a mutual recognition agreement or comparable trade arrangement with the United States, according to In Compliance Magazine’s summary of the order. The rules also require disclosures about foreign employees involved in testing and certification and create an expedited path for devices tested by “Trusted Test Labs.” The publication said the rules take effect on June 1, 2026. (newsbreak.com) China’s Ministry of Commerce responded on May 1 with a public protest. Xinhua and CGTN said the ministry accused the FCC of overstretching national-security claims, warned of disruption to industrial and supply chains, and said China would take necessary measures if the United States proceeded. In Compliance Magazine later summarized that response as a direct pushback against the FCC’s move to disqualify China-based testing labs from work tied to devices sold in the United States. (incompliancemag.com) ### How does this split affect companies that make or ship electronics? June 1, 2026 is the immediate operational date for compliance teams because that is when the FCC’s new testing-lab rules are due to take effect, according to In Compliance Magazine. Companies that rely on China-based labs or certification bodies for U.S. device approvals face a concrete timetable even though the larger chip dispute remains unsettled. (english.news.cn) Semiconductor exporters, by contrast, still face uncertainty rather than a new timetable from the Beijing talks. Greer’s statement left export controls in place, while the separate AI-safety discussions create another official channel that does not by itself change licensing rules, certification requirements or FCC enforcement. That distinction is based on the subjects described in the reporting and the text of the FCC-related coverage. (incompliancemag.com) ### What should readers watch next? June 1, 2026 is the next fixed milestone because the FCC rules on non-MRA testing labs and certification bodies are scheduled to take effect then. On the diplomatic side, the next marker is the start of the U.S.-China AI-safety discussions reported by the New York Times, while any shift on semiconductor exports would likely require a separate announcement from the U.S. Trade Representative, the Commerce Department or Chinese officials. (newsbreak.com) (incompliancemag.com)