US demands AI partners choose sides, warns against China ties

US prepares ultimatum on AI alignment

The United States is preparing to send a stark message to dozens of countries: joining both American and Chinese artificial intelligence coalitions is no longer an option. According to an internal State Department draft reviewed by Reuters, Washington will tell 35 nations that membership in its Pax Silica initiative is incompatible with participation in Beijing's rival framework.

The draft letter, addressed to signatories of the US "AI Opportunity Statement" signed in June, warns that "to be part of everything is to be part of nothing." It emphasizes that Pax Silica membership represents "a commitment" rather than a simple subscription, and "cannot be held alongside membership in duplicative initiatives whose expectations conflict with our own."

While the letter does not explicitly name China, the target is clear. In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization," promoting China's open-weight AI technology as a direct challenge to US influence in the sector.

Why it matters

This ultimatum marks an escalation in the technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing at a critical juncture. Chinese open-weight AI models have made rapid gains against proprietary systems from US companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, while the exponential growth of AI capabilities—including autonomous hacking—has forced a global reckoning over the technology's power. By forcing countries to choose, the US aims to secure supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals while denying China access to resources needed for advanced AI development. The move could reshape global technology alliances and force nations to make difficult geopolitical calculations.

Kazakhstan caught in the middle

Kazakhstan has emerged as the flashpoint in this technology standoff. The Central Asian nation is the only country known to have joined both initiatives, triggering alarm in Washington. The US touted Kazakhstan's June accession to Pax Silica as significant, given the country's substantial reserves of critical minerals essential for advanced technologies.

China has weaponized its near-monopolies over critical minerals in the ongoing tariff war launched by President Donald Trump, making access to alternative sources increasingly strategic. Trump has ramped up efforts to source these minerals domestically and from allies, making Kazakhstan's dual membership particularly problematic for US planners.

Coalition structure and stakes

The Pax Silica agreement, launched by Washington last year, aims to secure supply chains for AI models, semiconductors, and critical minerals. About two dozen countries have joined, including close US allies Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Members gain access to shared investment opportunities in AI-related projects.

The 35 signatories of the AI Opportunity Statement—which includes Pax Silica members and other nations expressing interest in aligning with Washington—have symbolically agreed on a "common purpose" and "shared vision" with the United States.

A US official told Reuters that the letter makes clear "you can't have it both ways," adding that "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."

Reuters could not determine when the US intends to send the letter or whether it might be amended. The State Department declined to comment on "purportedly leaked internal documents." The Chinese and Kazakh embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

These details were first reported by Reuters correspondent Michael Martina.