The United States and Philippines have announced a partnership to construct a massive 4,000-acre manufacturing complex, marking Manila’s entry into a Washington-backed program designed to protect artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply networks, according to the U.S. State Department.
With this move, the Philippines joins 12 other nations participating in Pax Silica, an initiative focused on protecting the complete technology supply network, encompassing essential minerals, sophisticated manufacturing processes, computing systems and data infrastructure.
This program represents a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s economic diplomacy approach, designed to decrease reliance on competing nations while enhancing partnerships with allied countries. Nations already participating in the agreement include Australia, Finland, India, Qatar, South Korea and Singapore.
The planned manufacturing facility will be constructed within the Luzon Economic Corridor, a vital economic zone encompassing Manila and surrounding areas known for industrial and manufacturing operations. Under a three-way partnership agreement, the Philippines, Japan and the United States have pledged to increase infrastructure development in this corridor.
“It is intended to serve as a staging point for a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing,” the State Department said in a statement.
“The two Allies are committed to strengthening shared supply chains in critical minerals, semiconductors, electronics, and other goods,” it added.
The partnership between Manila and Washington has strengthened significantly during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has aligned more closely with American interests. The Philippines, a former U.S. territory, plays a crucial role in Washington’s strategy to address China’s growing influence in the South China Sea region.
