US Under Secretary Jacob Helberg discusses Pax Silica, an economic security coalition and the Trump administration's strategy to secure the AI supply chain by partnering with private sector companies and allied nations. He contrasts this with China's Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing a product-centric, ethically-driven approach using diplomatic property to create industrial bases in allied countries.
Summarized by Podsumo
Pax Silica now involves 14 countries and includes the Philippines' gift of 4,000 acres for a forward-deployed industrial base, using diplomatic property to bypass typical zoning and enable private-sector-led manufacturing.
Helberg highlights the U.S. strategy as a 'product-centric' alternative to China's Belt and Road, focusing on commercial viability and avoiding debt traps through genuine joint ventures with allied countries.
Key focus areas include robotics supply chains (dominated by China) and rare earth minerals, where the U.S. is using critical mineral summits and MOUs to diversify sources and address pricing issues.
"We're not going to do government-operated supply chains because that's not how we shine as a country. Our superpower is really private sector and our companies."
"The amazing thing about the tech industry, especially when we go through these inflection points, is the pie grows really fast. And so it's really not zero sum."
"I think the US often thinks of itself as the Navy versus a pirate. ... I think one of the really big flaws in that whole line of thinking is I really wouldn't say we're an established power."
"The running joke, especially with our counterparts overseas that deal with the Trump administration, is that we like to move in Trump time."