Officials in the Trump administration are considering holding an executive-level meeting on artificial intelligence with Chinese counterparts. The potential talks would take place on the sidelines of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the United States next week, according to CNN.

Shift in diplomatic engagement

This development follows earlier reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent indicated openness to discussing shared AI risks with China in talks scheduled for this weekend. The consideration of a higher-level executive meeting during President Xi’s upcoming visit suggests an escalation in the scope and seniority of bilateral AI discussions.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the Trump family of being "in Putin's pocket" after President Donald Trump blamed Ukraine for record diesel prices. The criticism coincided with reports that a Russian oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin paid for Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebration.

Schumer described the timing as telling, noting the news broke on the same day Trump pointed the finger at Ukraine rather than the U.S. war with Iran. He called the Trump family's corruption "shameless" and cited the oligarch connection as further evidence of their alignment with Moscow.

Energy Price Surge

The national average for gasoline reached $4.3289 a gallon on Tuesday, up from $4.0704 a month ago and $3.1777 a year ago, according to AAA. Diesel set a fresh all-time high of $6.2694 a gallon, rising from $3.6858 a year earlier.

At the time of writing, Brent crude prices were down 0.41% at $108.02, while WTI futures were down 0.13% at $104.74. Goldman Sachs warned Brent crude could stay above $100 a barrel through the rest of 2026 if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut for another month.

Political Context

On Sunday, Trump told reporters in Ireland that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs to stop hitting Russian diesel fuel. He argued the diesel shortage stemmed from the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than the Middle East, stating Ukraine still had "plenty of other targets" available besides Russian fuel infrastructure.

Schumer countered this on Monday, calling the blame on Ukraine Trump's "newest LIE." He argued Americans already understand it is Trump's own war with Iran driving up costs.

Inflation and Fed Outlook

Economist Justin Wolfers told CNN last week that fuel prices, including diesel, heating oil, and jet fuel, are climbing rapidly as the Iran conflict continues. He noted these costs are moving quickly from the pump into airline fares and, over time, into everyday goods as businesses stop treating the increases as temporary.

Wolfers stated the deficit is now the largest it has been outside a war or recession in the post-war period, with "no appetite whatsoever for reducing the amount of borrowing." He said the run-up in energy prices adds pressure on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh to raise rates, leaving the Fed "a little less optimistic today that inflation's under control."

The Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision Wednesday, with the odds of a hike at 92.4%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.