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Uzbekistan tests US-China AI rift with bid to join rival tech bloc

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Nayan Sethin WashingtonandKhushboo RazdanPublished: 9:02pm, 28 Aug 2026The Central Asian country of Uzbekistan has approached the United States about joining Pax Silica, Washington’s flagship initiative on artificial intelligence (AI) supply chains, a month after signing up for China’s own global grouping, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (Waico).

Uzbekistan’s ambassador to the US, Furqat Sidikov, said Tashkent had formally notified the US State Department in a diplomatic note last week requesting to join the US-led initiative.

“Now, the US should confirm. We are ready to sign,” he said in Washington on Thursday.

Sidikov added that countries should have a “chance to be part of any kind of international cooperation”, and that drawing red lines around participation would be “counterproductive”.

“This gives us opportunities, and it’s good competition,” he said.

The move comes as countries face growing pressure to choose between Washington and Beijing in the race for AI dominance, with both powers promoting competing visions to shape the technology’s standards, supply chains and strategic partnerships.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed00:0000:001.00x