EU member states on June 3 authorized the European Commission to formalize the bloc’s participation in the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative after permanent representatives approved the move without discussion, according to Agence Europe. Formal Council adoption is scheduled for June 8.
The Commission is joining on behalf of the EU rather than through individual member states after providing assurances on governance, including the Council’s steering role, member-state involvement, and an explicit reference to European unity. The Commission has said the declaration is not legally binding, does not affect EU internal decision-making, and is complementary to G7 workstreams on critical raw materials, digital policy, and economic security.
Pax Silica, announced by the U.S. State Department in December 2025, is described as a coordination framework covering the AI supply chain from critical minerals and energy to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, compute, logistics, and data-center infrastructure. Its stated aim is to reduce dependence on single sources and deepen coordination with partner countries.
EU and U.S. materials describe the effort as part of a broader push to diversify supply chains in areas including mineral processing and semiconductors, where production and refining are heavily concentrated in China. Other participants listed in EU communications include Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.