Yes, I agree that slowing down/pausing hardware or cutting-edge AI R&D, or both, would be a good thing. If "doing so is unrealistic because the other party will continue anyway," then the right solution is for all relevant parties (businesses and governments) to publicly declare, "If [A, B, C] parties also make similar commitments, I am willing not to do [X]," and then act in good faith based on that.