 "Trump in Seoul: US and South Korea sign AI deal — to secure edge over China")
The US and South Korea will sign an agreement to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 6G, as President Donald Trump reaches South Korea for the Apec Summit.
The deal, aimed at China’s expansion in the tech realm, will be signed on Wednesday by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, according to a report by Bloomberg.
In a statement, Kratsios said, “The Trump Administration is redefining American technological leadership by driving bilateral collaborative partnerships with allies like Korea.”
“Each Technology Prosperity Deal offers great opportunities to accelerate scientific discovery and lead the world into a new era of innovation driven by the US and our partners,” he added.
What is the agreement?
Under the agreement, the two nations will collaborate to tighten export controls on artificial intelligence and ease regulatory hurdles for tech firms, aiming to simplify data storage and usage across borders, an official said. The pact also seeks to strengthen biotechnology and pharmaceutical supply chains, enhance research security, safeguard progress in quantum technologies, and foster cooperation in space exploration and 6G telecommunications.
While the companies that will be part of the US-South Korea deal have not been disclosed yet, it will be similar to the ones Trump signed with Japan during the second leg of his Asia visit.
US officials have designated quantum computing as a key national security focus, with the administration exploring financial backing for select companies in the sector. On the artificial intelligence front, Trump has aimed to accelerate growth by loosening regulations and streamlining approvals for AI infrastructure, while simultaneously imposing measures to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology.
Is getting ahead of China Trump’s main goal?
Although Trump is slated to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, the Republican leader has been taking a tough stance on Beijing. In what will be the first face-to-face meeting with Xi in Trump’s second presidency, all eyes will be on the talks set for Thursday.
“I think we’re going to have a great meeting with President Xi of China, and a lot of problems are going to be solved,” Trump said en route to South Korea where he is due to meet with Xi, saying he is “optimistic”.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“We have been talking to them, we’re not just walking into the meeting cold… I think we’re going to have a very good outcome for our country and for the world actually,” he said on Air Force One.
In the lead-up to the meeting, Trump has intensified economic pressure on China by signing agreements to open new markets for US products and striking deals on critical minerals to lessen dependence on Beijing for the rare earths vital to numerous industries.
He has also made the advancement of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing a central pillar of his administration’s agenda, aiming to rival China’s heavy state-backed investments in these strategic sectors.
With inputs from agencies
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