US and allies form cartel to secure Al era supply chains

Dubbed ‘G7 for the AI age’, Japan, South Korea, the UK, UAE, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands and Israel have joined it

- HT Correspondent

The United States has formed a strategic initiative with a coalition of eight Asia-Pacific and European allies — Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, UK, Israel, UAE and Australia — to build a secure silicon supply chain for critical minerals, energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics, according to the US State Department.

The pact paves the way for joint research and development, manufacturing and infrastructure development intended to rival China’s Belt and Road initiative, Jacob Helberg, the state department's undersecretary for economic affairs, told Politico.

Dubbed the “Pax Silica” after the Latin terms for peace and silicon, the coalition will ensure that “countries of concern” do not gain “undue access” to or control of sensitive technology and critical infrastructure, the state department said.