Rep Lieu and Sen Markey Urge Trump to Get China to Commit to Ensuring Artificial Intelligence Cannot Launch Nukes Without Human Engagement

September 16, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) urged President Trump to raise the principle of maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” in nuclear launch decisions during his meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping next week. The United States already has the policy of ensuring humans are the decision-makers in the employment of nuclear weapons thanks to a provision authored by Rep. Lieu and Sen. Markey in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. In the letter, Congressman Lieu and Senator Markey write: Dear President Trump: As you prepare to meet with General Secretary Xi Jinping next week, we respectfully ask you to raise the issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in nuclear weapons launch systems. The United States already requires that the use of AI should not compromise the integrity of nuclear safeguards or compromise the principle of maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” in the employment of nuclear weapons. We urge you to get General Secretary Xi to commit the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the same principle that the United States already follows. Sec. 1638 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act declared that it is the policy of the United States that AI should not compromise the integrity of nuclear safeguards. A human must be kept “in the loop” for all nuclear launch decisions. AI should never launch a nuclear weapon by itself. Since the United States follows this basic principle, so should the PRC. Your direct engagement on this matter is critical to ensuring AI doesn’t accidentally or intentionally cause a preventable nuclear disaster. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, READ THE LETTER HERE Issues : Committee Work National Security and Foreign Affairs