The United States is preparing to pressure dozens of countries to choose between Washington and Beijing in the global artificial intelligence race, warning that countries aligning with China’s competing AI framework could be excluded from a US-led coalition.
According to a US official and an internal draft reviewed by Reuters, the State Department has prepared a letter for the 35 signatories of the US “AI Opportunity Statement”, urging them to commit fully to Washington’s AI initiatives.
The draft warns that countries cannot simultaneously participate in the US-backed Pax Silica framework and Chinese-led initiatives that promote a competing vision for artificial intelligence.
“To be part of everything is to be part of nothing,” the letter says, adding that signing the Pax Silica Declaration represents a commitment rather than simply membership.
The letter urges countries to “choose deliberately” and says participation in Pax Silica cannot be maintained alongside membership of “duplicative initiatives” whose expectations conflict with those of the United States.
The draft does not specifically name China, and it was unclear when the letter would be sent or whether its contents could be amended before being issued.
Washington launched the Pax Silica initiative last year as part of efforts to secure supply chains for AI models, semiconductor chips and critical minerals amid intensifying technological competition with Beijing.
About two dozen countries have joined the initiative, including Japan, Australia and South Korea, as well as Kazakhstan, which has significant critical-mineral reserves but has also joined China’s competing AI framework.
The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of ongoing internal discussions, said Washington wanted to make clear that countries could not “have it both ways”.
“It’s difficult to see how a country can credibly position themselves as trusted partners in one technology ecosystem while simultaneously signing up for an initiative designed by China to advance a competing vision for AI,” the official said.
The move comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in July, promoting China’s open-weight AI technology as an alternative to growing US influence over the sector.
The US strategy is aimed at limiting China’s access to the resources, technology and partnerships needed to strengthen its position in the global AI race, which Washington increasingly views as having both economic and national-security implications.
The Pax Silica framework seeks to encourage US allies and partners to cooperate on AI-related projects, export controls and the development of critical-mineral supply chains, while reducing reliance on strategic competitors.
China currently holds dominant positions in the processing and supply of several critical minerals, which Beijing has previously used as leverage during trade tensions with Washington.
The competition has intensified as Chinese open-weight AI models have made rapid advances against proprietary systems developed by US companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic.
Meanwhile, Beijing is considering tighter restrictions on overseas access to some of its leading AI models, underscoring the tension between China’s push to expand its AI influence and its national-security priorities.
The US State Department declined to comment on what it described as “purportedly leaked internal documents”.
China’s embassy in Washington said Beijing opposed the politicisation of trade and technology issues, warning that such measures could undermine global AI development.
“Such actions will only stifle global AI advances and serve no one’s interests,” an embassy spokesperson said.
The US State Department has described Kazakhstan’s entry into Pax Silica as significant, making it the first Central Asian country to join the initiative and adding a major potential source of critical minerals needed for advanced technologies.
Countries that signed the AI Opportunity Statement have also agreed to a shared vision and common purpose with the United States, while Pax Silica members have access to joint investment opportunities in AI-related projects.
The latest move reflects the growing pressure on countries to align their technology, trade and supply-chain policies with either Washington or Beijing as the two powers compete for leadership of the rapidly evolving AI sector.
Boluwatife Enome
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