Italy and the United States on Friday will sign off on ​a cooperation agreement on the so-called ‌Pax Silica initiative on artificial intelligence supply chains, a statement from Rome's foreign ministry said ​on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Pax Silica is a ​US State Department initiative bringing together allied ⁠countries to secure AI-related supply chains, ​covering areas ranging from semiconductors and critical ​minerals to advanced manufacturing and AI models.

Ambassador Armando Varricchio and US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta ​will sign off on the agreement ​on Friday in Brindisi, southern Italy, the statement ‌said.

Italy ⁠was due to join Pax Silica in Miami in June, but Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called off the trip after Prime ​Minister Giorgia ​Meloni and ⁠US President Donald Trump had a public falling out, with ​Washington accusing Rome of providing little ​support ⁠in the Iran war.

"The goal is to foster an ecosystem supporting the growth of ⁠these ​key sectors and to ​reduce dependence on exporting countries," the Italian ministry added.