Key facts
- Italy is set to join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, which aims to secure AI supply chains.
- The memorandum of understanding will be signed by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Pax Silica covers areas from energy and critical minerals to advanced manufacturing and AI models.
- Italy's decision to join follows a public disagreement between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump.
Italy has confirmed its intention to join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, a program focused on securing artificial intelligence supply chains. The announcement comes despite a recent public dispute between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ambassador Armando Varricchio, Italy's special envoy for innovation, stated that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding at the earliest opportunity. Varricchio indicated that this agreement would provide a political foundation to resume efforts that had been temporarily paused.
The Pax Silica initiative, spearheaded by the U.S. State Department, brings together allied nations to ensure the stability of AI-related supply chains. Its scope encompasses critical areas such as energy, essential minerals, advanced manufacturing processes, and the development of AI models. The European Commission recently joined the initiative, with the Netherlands also signing up earlier in the week.
Italy's participation was initially scheduled for Monday in Miami, but Foreign Minister Tajani canceled his trip following a public disagreement between Prime Minister Meloni and President Trump. The dispute arose after Trump reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Italy's perceived lack of support regarding the Iran situation.