Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are expected to formally join a US led initiative designed to strengthen artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, marking a notable expansion of technology cooperation between Washington and key Gulf states. The move was confirmed by US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg in an interview with Reuters, where he said both countries would soon become part of the Pax Silica program. Qatar is expected to sign the declaration on January 12, followed by the UAE on January 15, bringing two influential Middle Eastern economies into a framework focused on economic security and advanced technology collaboration.
The inclusion of Qatar and the UAE is significant given the region’s long standing political divisions and reflects a broader US effort to align Israel and Gulf states within a shared technology driven economic structure. Pax Silica brings together countries based on their industrial strengths rather than traditional security alliances, a model Helberg described as a coalition of capabilities. Existing members include Israel, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Britain, and Australia, all of which play critical roles across various segments of the global technology ecosystem. The initiative seeks to protect and reinforce the entire technology supply chain, from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to computing capacity and data infrastructure, at a time when geopolitical tensions are reshaping global trade and innovation flows.
The program has gained urgency amid growing concerns in Washington about China’s access to advanced AI chips. Policy hawks have repeatedly warned that cutting edge semiconductor technology could accelerate Beijing’s military capabilities, a concern that initially led the Biden administration to impose export restrictions on advanced chips and related equipment. Pax Silica is now positioned as a central pillar of the Trump administration’s economic statecraft strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on rival nations while deepening coordination among trusted partners. Helberg emphasized that the Silicon Declaration tied to the initiative is intended to function as an operational document rather than a symbolic diplomatic statement, setting the groundwork for coordinated policy action and joint projects.
For Qatar and the UAE, participation in Pax Silica aligns with broader national ambitions to diversify their economies beyond hydrocarbons and strengthen their positions in high value technology sectors. Helberg noted that the initiative could help accelerate the Middle East’s transition toward a more technology focused economic model, shifting the region’s security and growth priorities toward what he described as silicon statecraft. Both countries have invested heavily in digital infrastructure, data centers, and advanced manufacturing, making them increasingly relevant players in global technology supply chains.
The timing of the announcement also coincides with the Future Minerals Forum, a government led global conference hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from January 13 to 15. The event is expected to bring together senior officials, industry leaders, and investors to discuss minerals and supply chain resilience, an area that closely overlaps with Pax Silica’s objectives. According to Helberg, the group will focus this year on expanding its membership, developing strategic projects to secure vulnerable supply chains, and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive technologies. As competition over AI, semiconductors, and minerals intensifies, the addition of Qatar and the UAE underscores the growing role of the Middle East in shaping the future of global technology cooperation.
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