Washington: Officials from Taiwan and the United States convened for the sixth round of the Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, culminating in the signing of a pact affirming the principles of “Pax Silica.”

According to Focus Taiwan, the meeting featured Jacob Helberg, the U.S. undersecretary of state for economic affairs, and Kung Ming-hsin, Taiwan’s Economics Minister, as the lead representatives. The U.S. State Department outlined that key discussions centered on enhancing supply chain security, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, certifying components for unmanned aircraft systems, supporting trusted digital infrastructure, and collaborating on critical minerals.

Further discussions emphasized progress in addressing economic coercion, fostering mutual cooperation in third countries, and tackling tax-related obstacles to boost investment between the United States and Taiwan. The two parties also endorsed a joint statement supporting the Pax Si
lica Declaration, an initiative aimed at coordinating trusted supply chains for advanced technologies.

The Pax Silica initiative, initially comprising eight signatories, now includes 11 countries, with Taiwan being a major producer of advanced semiconductors but not yet a full participant. At the time of its launch, Helberg noted Taiwan’s involvement and contributions, anticipating the addition of new members by the first quarter of 2026. Helberg, in response to queries about Taiwan’s full membership, described the joint statement signing as a significant milestone but did not specify a timeline for Taiwan’s entry.

Initiated in November 2020, the EPPD framework has persisted through different U.S. administrations, including the current term of President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025. The recent discussions mark the sixth meeting under the EPPD framework, underscoring the ongoing partnership between the United States and Taiwan.