Taiwan plays a critical role in supply chains, said U.S. Under Secretary of State of Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, noting the island’s invitation to the summit of a U.S.-led AI supply chain initiative. 

Helberg joined representatives from various countries last Friday to join a summit launching the “Pax Silica” initiative to secure minerals for artificial intelligence. This partnership unites countries with top tech firms to unlock AI's economic potential, with new members expected in the first quarter of 2026.

The inaugural summit that day drew nations with advanced AI supply chains, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Taiwan, the European Union, Canada, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) attended as guests.

In Tuesday’s transcript of remarks to Asia-Pacific media, Helberg said Taiwan fully participated in summit sessions on manufacturing and semiconductors, areas where it is seen as vital. He added that the U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, or EPPD, is slated for early next year.

Helberg explained Taiwan’s importance to the supply chain made its participation in Pax Silica crucial, allowing key issues to be addressed directly before expanding those conversations to a multilateral setting.