Norway joins US-led ‘Pax Silica’ initiative: A major shift in global AI supply chains?

Norway is set to join “Pax Silica”, a US-led initiative aimed at securing reliable supply chains necessary for AI technology in today’s tech driven world.

By joining the coalition, Norway would become the 15th member, as confirmed by the Nordic country’s government on Tuesday. But the Nordic nation is expected to formally sign the initiative ⁠on ​Wednesday, May 6.

What is Pax Silica initiative?

Pax Silica, launched in December 2025, is a strategic framework designed to build trusted and reliable supply chains for AI-related technologies.

It also focuses on other areas as well, including critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and rare earths, semiconductors, compute infrastructure, logistics, and energy supply chains.

Having been the key pillar of the Trump administration, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on China in terms of critical mineral supplies and strengthen collaboration among the allies.

The key members of the coalition include the UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, Australia, the UAE, and many others.

The strategic hook: Why Norway?

Norway is viewed as “strategic asset” for the initiative based on two primary reasons:

The first and foremost reason is the sovereign wealth fund. With over $1.7 trillion in assets, the Government Pension Fund Global provides massive institutional capital to the US. With this funding, the US can spend heavily on AI infrastructure and mineral refining projects.

"Norway is home to the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, ​and the depth ​of ⁠that institutional capital combined with critical mineral reserves are important," Jacob ​Helberg, the US State Department's ​undersecretary ⁠for economic affairs, told Semafor in an interview.

Secondly, Norway is also emerging as a strategically important European source of critical minerals, especially rare earth elements, giving the US reliable access to these minerals.

"This initiative can give Norwegian companies better access to advanced technological ​value chains," Norway's Trade and Industry ​Minister Cecilie Myrseth said in a statement.