US and allies sign AI supply-chain accord ahead of Trump-Xi talks

The United States and several allies have signed an accord to identify and protect the critical technologies and supply chains underpinning artificial intelligence, in a move aimed at countering China's influence.

The agreement, the San Francisco Declaration on the Secure Foundations of Enduring Prosperity, was signed by Japan, Australia, Israel and the United Kingdom, among others, the Financial Times reported. Jacob Helberg, the US under secretary for economic affairs, told the FT that South Korea, India, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also signed, while Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and the European Commission are expected to sign next week.

The declaration is the latest step in Pax Silica, described by the State Department as its flagship effort on "Super Intelligence and supply chain security, advancing new economic security consensus among allies and trusted partners." Helberg framed the initiative in sweeping terms: "If the 20th century ran on oil and steel, the 21st century runs on compute and the minerals that feed it."

Shared inventory of sensitive technologies

The accord commits participants to build a shared inventory of the AI technologies and infrastructure that require greater protection, spanning semiconductors, critical minerals and energy. According to The News International, it calls for working groups to mitigate risks within AI supply networks and to channel funding into adjacent markets.

The declaration text says economic security is fundamental to national security and urges stronger protections against the theft or unauthorized transfer of technologies that could provide military or intelligence advantages to hostile actors. It also encourages cooperation to address "non-market practices" such as overcapacity and unfair dumping, and to reduce "excessive dependencies."

Helberg said the agreement recognizes that the technologies and infrastructure supporting AI development often span multiple countries, making supply-chain security a shared responsibility. He said it would help partners identify sensitive technologies needed to develop what President Donald Trump has called "super intelligence."

The initiative lands as Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen. Washington has accused Beijing of falling short on commitments made under a trade truce the two leaders reached in late 2025. The push also reflects a broader US effort to reduce reliance on China for rare earth minerals and other inputs.

The accord follows other signs of friction in the sector, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's call this week for a "dramatic shakeup" at chipmaker Nvidia, including an outside chief executive, amid questions over its compliance with export restrictions to China.