Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.
🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here

State Department bill backs $500m for allies’ US AI buys

US senators Jeanne Shaheen and Pete Ricketts plan to unveil a bipartisan bill in Washington this week that would create a State Department office and a US$500 million fund to help allied governments buy American AI and other strategic technologies instead of Chinese products.

The bill would subsidize purchases and simplify procurement for AI models, chips, software, telecoms gear, cybersecurity tools, biotechnology, and cloud systems, and it would support the Trump administration’s Pax Silica effort to cut reliance on China in AI supply chains.

The proposal comes as China invested a record US$213 billion in its Belt and Road program last year.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

The proposed fund would support a broader tech alliance

  • The bill would create a US$500 million fund to help allied governments buy American and other strategic technologies. The draft ties the plan to the Trump administration’s Pax Silica effort, which seeks to reduce reliance on China in AI supply chains.
  • Its reach spans the full technology stack, from critical minerals to energy inputs, advanced manufacturing, and logistics 1.
  • Members already include Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom 2.
  • The US State Department names Samsung, SK Hynix, ASML plus DeepMind as examples of companies and investors in participating countries that help run the global AI supply chain 2.

The fund seeks to create a self-reinforcing allied tech bloc

  • The bill would subsidize purchases and ease procurement rules, pushing allied governments toward a US-aligned technology system. That path would make Chinese alternatives harder and costlier to adopt later.
  • Its long-term aim is a “durable economic order” for the AI era with less exposure to what the US calls “coercive dependencies” 2.
  • The plan pushes back on non-market practices such as overcapacity and dumping. That could give allied tech companies a steadier market for private investment 1.
  • It puts the idea that “economic security is national security” into law. It frames the technology race as a coalition effort tied to long-term prosperity plus influence 2.

Recent Related developments

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.