Archive · 16 Aug 2026
US asks countries to pick sides in China's AI race
The United States and China are racing to build the best artificial intelligence, or AI.
The US made a club called Pax Silica, where friendly countries work together on AI and on the special minerals and computer chips needed for it.
China made its own club called the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.
Now the US is asking countries to join just one club, warning that joining both could mean losing access to the US club.
Kazakhstan is the only country known to belong to both clubs, which worried Washington.
Kazakhstan has important minerals that support advanced technology.
The US prepared a letter telling the countries that signed its AI statement to choose sides.
China says it is unfair to force countries to choose, and that doing so could slow down AI progress for everyone.
In the end, this story is about which country will lead the world in new technology.
The US plans to urge dozens of countries to choose between its Pax Silica AI partnership and China's rival World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, warning that joining both could cost access to the US-led coalition.
The State Department drafted the letter for the 35 signatories of the US 'AI Opportunity Statement', which was signed in June.
In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the rival World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, promoting China's open-weight technology.
Kazakhstan is the only country known to have joined both initiatives, raising concerns in Washington.
China's embassy in Washington said Beijing opposes politicising trade and technology issues, arguing such actions would stifle global AI advances.
- Who
- The United States (via the State Department) and China, with dozens of partner countries including Japan, Australia, South Korea and Kazakhstan.
- What
- The US plans to ask dozens of countries to choose between its Pax Silica AI partnership and China's rival World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, warning that joining both could cost access to the US-led coalition.
- When
- The draft letter is undated and Reuters could not determine when it will be sent; Pax Silica was launched last year, the AI Opportunity Statement was signed in June, and China launched its organization in July.
- Where
- Washington and Beijing, extending to partner countries worldwide; Kazakhstan is the only country known to have joined both initiatives.
- Why
- The US and China are competing for AI technological leadership, and Washington aims to limit China's access to AI models, semiconductors and critical minerals amid a tariff war launched by US President Donald Trump.
United States
China
Choosing sides in the AI race
United States
Countries must "choose deliberately" between the US-led AI ecosystem and China's competing initiative; joining both means being part of nothing, and membership in duplicative initiatives with conflicting expectations cannot be held alongside Pax Silica.
China
Beijing opposes politicising trade and technology issues; forcing countries to choose will only stifle global AI advances and serve no one's interests.
Impact on global AI development
United States
Restricting China's access to resources limits its ability to develop increasingly sophisticated AI that could be used for military or economic dominance.
China
Such restrictive actions only stifle global AI advances and serve no one's interests.
- Core issue
- US-China competition for AI technological leadership
- US initiative
- Pax Silica
- China's initiative
- World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization
- Pax Silica members
- About two dozen countries, including Japan, Australia, South Korea and Kazakhstan
- Letter recipients
- 35 signatories of the US 'AI Opportunity Statement'
- Known dual member
- Kazakhstan
- Resources at stake
- AI models, semiconductors and critical minerals
- US AI developers cited
- OpenAI and Anthropic
