U. S. and Philippines Move Fast on New Tech Zone

The United States plans to finalize a long‑term agreement with the Philippines on an economic security zone shortly. A senior U.S. official confirmed that both sides have two years to iron out the details after signing a pact last month, and they will determine which industries receive priority within the zone.

Pax Silica Membership

• Philippines becomes the 13th country to join Pax Silica, a program safeguarding technology supply chains from minerals to data centers.
• The alliance launched with seven members in September and has expanded rapidly, with experts predicting a total of 16 members by the end of next month.

Diplomatic Immunity and Momentum

Washington seeks diplomatic immunity for the zone, but Philippine officials are still debating the request. The U.S. side remains eager to advance the project, citing strong momentum and significant interest from numerous companies.

Business Interest

• A U.S. delegation visited a 4,000‑acre site in New Clark City near Manila.
• Representatives from Agility Robotics, Joby Aviation, and Foxconn’s chairman were present, underscoring growing excitement among U.S. businesses.

ASEAN Summit Engagement

The U.S. official also met with digital ministers from ASEAN at a summit in Singapore, exploring mineral and logistics opportunities. He reported that the discussions with Singaporean leaders were positive.