U.S. Pushes AI Funding, Fisheries Tech at APEC Amid China Rivalry

The Trump administration is promoting artificial intelligence (AI) exports and maritime surveillance technology at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in southern China, as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s technological and maritime influence, David Kirton reported for Reuters.

The initiatives come ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China in April and China’s hosting of APEC’s annual leaders’ summit in Shenzhen in November. (Photo: APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Facebook)

Casey Mace, the U.S. senior official to APEC, said the Trump administration had launched a $20 million fund to support adoption of American AI technologies by partner economies in the region, part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. leadership in emerging technologies.

The initiatives come ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China in April and China’s hosting of APEC’s annual leaders’ summit in Shenzhen in November — events likely to spotlight intensifying U.S.-China competition over technology and economic influence across the Asia-Pacific.

China is looking to narrow the technological gap with the U.S. in advancing AI-related sectors, though the lack of advanced chipmaking tools is hobbling its progress.