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(Bloomberg) — The Trump administration announced a new program aimed at accelerating shipments between the US and its closest trading partners of goods considered critical to developing artificial intelligence.
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The State Department said Wednesday that it will create a pilot platform in Panama intended to fast track trade in products essential to AI as part of Pax Silica, a US-led initiative created to strengthen supply chains between allies. In a statement, the agency said it’s committing up to $50 million in foreign assistance funding to develop and deploy the platform, which will use AI technology to speed the logistics process.
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“The project is expected to accelerate logistics and compliance operations,” Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said in an email. “This project is focused on enabling Panama and other participating economies to track and expedite shipments from trusted suppliers of high-value cargo for AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and critical minerals across the entire AI supply chain.”
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The announcement marks the latest US move to strengthen its supply chains with allies and reduce their reliance on China for crucial materials used in AI and other advanced technologies. The Biden administration also launched initiatives, including the Minerals Security Partnership, aimed at loosening Beijing’s grip on the crucial sector — though no US effort so far has had a meaningful impact on China’s dominance.
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Earlier this year, the Trump administration said that it would contribute as much as $250 million toward a consortium to help fund projects aimed at boosting access to energy and critical minerals — two sectors that the president has repeatedly highlighted as key national security concerns.
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Shippers use a combination of traditional pen-and-paper record-keeping alongside digital systems to track goods at ports of entry, costing the US government and foreign allies significant time and money. With the rising need to closely monitor custody of sensitive technology and intellectual property that officials and experts worry could fall into adversaries’ hands, the US is hoping AI-assisted technology can begin to replace conventional tracking methods.
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Panama is a vital global shipping artery, with roughly 3% of all global maritime trade passing through its canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Helberg said that Panama was chosen as the site of the pilot project following his visit there in May and based on strong interest from the country’s government.
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The Pax Silica program has roughly two-dozen participants, including the European Union, the UK, India and United Arab Emirates.
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—With assistance from Eric Martin.
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English (US)