Bessent warns nothing would matter if China wins AI race
By The BriefBrief
US Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent warned that US efforts would not matter if China were to win the AI race. He also said the US’s large defense budget would not be able to protect the country.
WHO:Scott Bessent
WHAT:Bessent warned that US efforts would not matter if China wins the AI race and said the US defense budget would not protect the country.
WHEN:Reported Sep 8, 2026 at 11:34 PM ET
WHERE:USA
WHY:Bessent was reacting to concerns about whether China could outpace the US in AI development.
Reporting from 2 identified publishers across this event arc.
