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Trump admin won't give AI leaders a 'liability shield,' Bessent tells CNBC

AnnouncementPolicySep 21, 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that AI developers "need to take responsibility for themselves" rather than expect a federal liability shield, saying "It is humans who are responsible, not the AI." Bessent said he met Chinese counterpart He Lifeng for 12 hours ahead of a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington. The officials discussed AI, a trade truce expiring Nov. 10, with further talks expected at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen.

Receipt № 20121 source · awaiting confirmation ◐

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CNBCCompanyXi JinpingPersonDonald TrumpPersonScott BessentPersonHe LifengPersonAsia-Pacific Economic CooperationCompany
Canonical: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/21/treasury-bessent-cnbc-squawk-trump-bond-affordabilty.html