Washington: The United States, in collaboration with South Korea and other international partners, is set to launch the "Pax Silica" partnership this week. This initiative focuses on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, and key technologies, as announced by the State Department. The move is part of a broader strategy to counter China's expanding influence in these vital sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, along with representatives from Korea, Japan, Israel, Australia, and Singapore, will inaugurate Pax Silica by signing a declaration on Friday. The initiative seeks to mitigate "coercive" dependencies and safeguard materials and capabilities critical to AI development.
Pax Silica derives its name from the Latin term 'pax,' symbolizing peace, stability, and long-term prosperity, while 'silica' refers to the compound refined into silicon, an essential element for computer chips powering AI, as explained by the department. This U.S.-led partnership aligns with President Donald Trump's administration's efforts to strengthen America's global "AI dominance," secure stable supply chains for critical minerals, and challenge China's control over these strategically important resources amid escalating tensions between the two nations.
Additionally, the U.S. will host the inaugural Pax Silica summit on Friday to discuss cooperation in bolstering supply chain security, advancing "trusted" technology ecosystems, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in related areas. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau emphasized that the goal is to establish supply chains and information networks free from undue influence or control by countries or entities of concern.
During a reception preceding the summit, Helberg and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeo Yamada signed a joint preamble to the upcoming Pax Silica declaration. The State Department highlighted this as a "new geopolitical consensus," asserting that economic security is synonymous with national security.
Helberg stated, "Today, we sign the Pax Silica preamble, a shared statement of purpose behind a new kind of partnership, securing the supply chains and trusted innovation ecosystems that will define prosperity and security in the decades ahead."
The department further clarified that the initiative aims to address partners' growing demand for deeper economic and technology cooperation. It also acknowledges AI as a transformative force for long-term prosperity and recognizes the importance of trustworthy systems in safeguarding security and prosperity. The announcement did not specifically mention China in the context of AI-related issues.
The launch of Pax Silica coincides with increasing concerns about China's tightening export controls on rare earth elements crucial to the manufacturing of military and electronic equipment. Helberg has instructed U.S. diplomats in Washington and overseas to operationalize the summit's discussions by identifying infrastructure projects and coordinating economic security practices, according to the department.