Trump's Pax Silica AI Hub Deal Sparks Protests Ahead of Philippines Trip

Protests are planned ahead of President Trump's upcoming visit to Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next week. The White House is pushing for an international AI supply-chain agreement ahead of the summit, which runs from November 16-18. The initiative, called Pax Silica, aims to secure the global AI economy and protect critical infrastructure.

However, local Philippine communities and grassroots organizations have expressed concerns over the potential environmental and human rights impacts of advancing AI industry in the country. They argue that the deal could lead to militarization, exploitation of resources, and displacement of communities. Despite these concerns, the State Department maintains that the U.S. and its allies are committed to securing innovation and protecting sensitive technologies through the Pax Silica agreement.