The US State Department has warned approximately 35 countries they must choose between the American-led Pax Silica bloc and China’s WAICO organization. Pax Silica, launched in December 2025 in Washington with partners including Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, aims to strengthen semiconductor supply chain resilience. China launched WAICO in July 2026 with 29 founding members, including Brazil, Russia, and South Africa. Kazakhstan finds itself in a delicate position as the only country currently participating in both initiatives simultaneously. The American warning does not specify concrete enforcement measures, but exclusion from Pax Silica would mean losing access to coordinated semiconductor investments.
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