U.S. Drafts Letter Warning Allies to Pick Sides in AI Race Against China: Report

The United States is drafting a letter warning 35 signatories of its AI Opportunity Statement that they risk exclusion from Washington's AI security coalition if they join China-backed initiatives, according to a U.S. official and a draft letter reviewed by Reuters. The move targets countries like Kazakhstan, which has joined both the U.S.-aligned Pax Silica framework and China's World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, as Washington seeks to secure supply chains for semiconductors, AI models, and critical minerals amid intensifying rivalry with Beijing.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways - The U.S. is warning partner countries that participation in China-backed AI initiatives could jeopardize their place in Washington’s Pax Silica technology and security framework. - Kazakhstan has emerged as a test case after joining both the U.S.-aligned Pax Silica framework and China’s rival AI cooperation initiative. - The dispute reflects a broader U.S.-China battle over AI models, semiconductor supply chains and access to critical minerals. The United States is preparing to warn dozens of countries that they must choose sides in the global artificial intelligence AI race. The State Department draft targets 35 signatories of a U.S. “AI Opportunity Statement” signed in June, informing them they risk exclusion from Washington’s AI security coalition if they join competing initiatives launched by Beijing, according to a U.S. official and an undated draft letter reviewed by Reuters. Washington established the non-binding Pax Silica framework last year to secure international supply chains for semiconductors, AI models, and critical minerals amid intensifying technological rivalry with China. Around two dozen nations have signed on, including close U.S. allies such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea, alongside Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a rival “World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization” in July, positioning China’s open-weight technology against U.S. proprietary systems. Kazakhstan became the first known country to sign onto both frameworks, triggering concern among U.S. policymakers. Kazakhstan holds vast reserves of critical minerals essential for advanced computing components. “To be part of everything is to be part of nothing. Signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not merely a membership subscription, but a commitment,” the U.S. draft letter said, adding that membership “cannot be held alongside membership in duplicative initiatives whose expectations conflict with our own.” While the letter does not explicitly name China, a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the intent: “You can’t have it both ways.” “It’s difficult to see how a country can credibly position themselves as trusted partners in one technology ecosystem while simultaneously signing up for an initiative designed by China to advance a competing vision for AI,” the official said. By pressing allies and neutral partners, the Trump administration seeks to starve Beijing of key technical resources and mineral supplies needed for AI development, which carries significant implications for future economic and military dominance. The move comes as Chinese open-weight AI models narrow the performance gap with proprietary models developed by U.S. tech firms like OpenAI and Anthropic. The battle over critical minerals have further amplified tensions. Beijing previously leveraged its near monopoly on critical mineral processing during trade disputes, prompting Washington to aggressively cultivate foreign supply partnerships. It remains unclear when the State Department plans to finalize and transmit the letter. The State Department declined to comment on leaked internal documents. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington criticized the draft posture, saying Beijing opposes the politicization of technology. “Such actions will only stifle global AI advances and serve no one’s interests,” they said. The Kazakh embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.