U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg, stated in an interview that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are set to join a U.S.-led initiative focused on securing the supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. Given the historical political divisions in the Middle East, the inclusion of these two nations holds significant importance and also demonstrates that the U.S. is spearheading efforts to integrate Israel and Gulf states into a single, technology-centric economic framework. This initiative, named Pax Silica, is dedicated to securing the entire technology supply chain, encompassing critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, computer technology, and data infrastructure. It serves as a core pillar of the Trump administration's economic statecraft strategy, aiming to reduce reliance on competitor nations and enhance cooperation among allies and partners. Helberg stated, "'The Silicon Declaration' is by no means a diplomatic communiqué; it is intended to be an operational document for building a new consensus on economic security." He expressed hope that the initiative would help accelerate the Middle East's economic transformation, moving it away from dependence on energy and towards a more diversified, technology-driven economy. "For the UAE and Qatar, this signifies a shift in their security architecture from one centered on hydrocarbons to one centered on 'silicon statecraft'," Helberg said. Current member states of the initiative include Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Qatar is expected to sign the Pax Silica agreement on January 12, with the UAE following suit on January 15.
Comments