A senior U.S. official will visit the Philippines this week to advance cooperation on technology, semiconductor supply chains, and economic security between Manila and Washington.
The U.S. Department of State announced that Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will visit the Philippines and Singapore from May 17 to 21 to meet with government officials, private sector representatives, and member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The visit aims to promote efforts toward building a “secure, resilient, innovation-driven technology ecosystem,” according to the State Department.
Helberg’s trip follows the April 16 signing of the Pax Silica Declaration, a U.S.-led initiative focused on strengthening supply chains for semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies.
Under the initiative, the U.S. and the Philippines are planning to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub within the Luzon Economic Corridor intended to support allied manufacturing and investment.
During his visit to the Philippines, Helberg is expected to discuss the implementation of the Pax Silica initiative, including plans for the proposed Economic Security Zone.
He is also expected to inspect the proposed site for the industrial hub, which is envisioned to boost the production of critical components for global supply chains while supporting broader economic development goals tied to the Luzon Economic Corridor.
In Singapore, Helberg will meet with ASEAN representatives and private sector leaders during a U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable focused on artificial intelligence and regional cooperation under the U.S. AI Exports Program.
The U.S. said the visit highlights ongoing efforts between Washington and ASEAN partners to strengthen collaboration on emerging technologies, supply chain resilience, and economic security amid evolving global economic challenges.
