China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday rejected a call by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei for the United States to curb China’s artificial intelligence capabilities, framing the proposal as ‘fearmongering’ that disrupts global AI governance.
Amodei’s essay, published Saturday, warned that a ‘Chinese lead in AI would pose grave danger for the United States and the world’, urging continued restrictions on the sale of advanced AI chips and chipmaking equipment to China to maintain U.S. dominance. He also suggested a global slowdown in AI development, including cooperation with China, to mitigate risks of uncontrolled AI proliferation.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to discuss AI governance, among other issues, at a meeting on September 24, according to multiple reports.
China’s Response: ‘Fearmongering’ and ‘Confrontation’
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference that ‘fearmongering, confrontation, and vicious competition will only disrupt the process of global AI governance, which serves no one’s interest.’ The ministry did not address Amodei’s specific claims but emphasized collaborative approaches to AI advancement.
China’s state-run Global Times dismissed Amodei’s essay as a ‘veiled call to contain China’, accusing the U.S. of pursuing a ‘Cold War playbook’ in the AI sector. The newspaper argued that the essay’s focus on ‘global AI security’ masked ‘containment provisions targeting China.’ China’s commerce ministry further dismissed U.S. claims as ‘groundless’, asserting that ‘distillation’—a technique used by many AI companies—was being unfairly targeted and that the U.S. sought a ‘monopoly of the AI industry.’
Anthropic’s Warnings and Proposed Solutions
Amodei’s essay, published on Anthropic’s platform, warned that AI systems could soon outpace human control, citing the potential for AI ‘agents’ to take over the internet within six to 12 months without coordinated global action. He proposed ‘global pacing’—including cooperation with China—to slow development and reduce existential risks.
In a separate interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Amodei compared the U.S.-China AI race to the Cold War, suggesting ‘disarmament negotiations’ as a model for managing AI risks. He acknowledged the ‘tough dilemma’ of balancing competition with China while advocating for structured limits on AI advancement.
Trump’s Stance on AI Leadership
President Trump has downplayed calls to slow AI development, stating that the U.S. is leading China in AI and that ‘whoever wins AI, wins.’ His administration has not publicly endorsed Amodei’s proposal but has maintained export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology to China, which Amodei’s essay explicitly supports.
China’s AI Capabilities and Global Positioning
Chinese AI models have gained prominence for being cheaper and, in some cases, equally capable compared to U.S.-based alternatives. President Xi has advocated for a global AI governance framework, particularly among Global South countries, positioning China as a pioneer in open AI development. Meanwhile, U.S. officials and industry leaders continue to debate the strategic and ethical implications of AI competition with China.
The upcoming Trump-Xi summit is expected to address AI governance, though no formal agenda has been released. The meeting follows heightened tensions over semiconductor export controls, AI ethics, and technological sovereignty between the two nations.