The Trump administration is preparing to notify more than 30 countries in the US-led AI cooperation framework that they cannot also participate in a separate China-led initiative, according to Reuters, citing US officials and internal draft documents. The move forces allied governments to choose between Washington and Beijing, with the goal of excluding China from supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors essential to AI development.
The letter being drafted by the US State Department targets the 35 countries and regions that signed the US "AI Opportunity Statement" in June. That group includes participants in "Pax Silica," a multilateral cooperation framework launched last year by Japan, the US, and others, plus countries that have expressed interest in cooperating with the US on AI.
Exclusivity clause targets China-backed rival
The draft letter states that "participating in everything is the same as participating in nothing." It emphasizes that "signing the Pax Silica declaration is not merely a membership registration but a commitment," demanding "careful choices" on AI from each country.
The letter further states that participation "cannot be reconciled with overlapping frameworks that contradict our expectations." While China is not named explicitly, the content clearly targets the "World AI Cooperation Organization" launched in Shanghai in July under Chinese President Xi Jinping. Twenty-nine countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Laos, Brazil, and South Africa, signed that founding agreement.
Pax Silica includes more than 20 countries and regions, among them Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union. Through this framework, the US government aims to promote joint projects and export controls with allies and resource-rich nations, reducing dependence on China and other adversarial countries for critical minerals, AI models, and semiconductor chips.
Kazakhstan's dual membership raises alarms
The US government is particularly wary of Kazakhstan, a major supplier of critical minerals. Kazakhstan was welcomed by the US in June as the first Central Asian country to join Pax Silica, but subsequently also joined the China-led World AI Cooperation Organization. It is currently the only country confirmed to be participating in both frameworks.
A US government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained the intent of the letter: "You can't have it both ways." The official added, "It is difficult for a country to sign onto an initiative designed by China to advance a competing vision for AI while simultaneously positioning itself as a trusted partner in a different technology ecosystem."
The technology contest between the US and China is reaching a turning point. China's open-weight AI models are rapidly closing the gap with proprietary systems offered by US companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The exponential growth in AI capabilities, including the ability to autonomously hack, is forcing a global reconsideration of how this power should be managed.
Critical minerals at the center of the standoff
China is reportedly considering restricting foreign access to its major AI models on national security grounds, heightening tensions. In the tariff war launched by President Trump last year, China has used its near-monopoly supply power over critical minerals as a retaliatory tool. In response, the US has been strengthening domestic procurement of critical minerals and sourcing from allies.
According to Reuters, the timing of the letter's dispatch is unclear and it may be revised before being sent. The US State Department said it "does not comment on allegedly leaked internal documents." The Chinese and Kazakh embassies in Washington have not responded to requests for comment.
Pax Silica participants gain access to joint investment opportunities in AI-related projects, while countries that signed the AI Opportunity Statement have symbolically agreed to "common purpose" and "shared vision" with the United States. The letter clarifies the exclusivity of this framework and signals an intent to exclude China-led framework participants from the US-led supply chain.
Why this matters for government professionals
For officials working in trade, technology policy, or foreign affairs, this letter signals that dual-track AI alignment is no longer viable for partner nations. Countries that signed the AI Opportunity Statement or joined Pax Silica now face a formal choice with supply chain consequences, and governments that have sought to maintain relations with both camps will face diplomatic and economic pressure. The practical takeaway: expect more countries to be pressed on their AI alliances, and watch Kazakhstan's response as a test case for how resource-rich nations navigate the US-China divide.
For those tracking how these frameworks affect procurement and international cooperation, resources like AI for Government and the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers can help clarify how policy shifts translate into operational requirements for public sector teams.
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