The Trump Administration must make Quantum Technology a priority in the first 100 days

The world is on the brink of a quantum revolution, and America’s leadership in quantum technology is rapidly diminishing. The United Nations recently declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, predicting that quantum will be “a major scientific breakthrough in the 21st century” with a “major impact on major problems.” of the nation.” However, as the world’s quantum ecosystem approaches major technical advances, the United States’ historical background in technology is diminishing.

Incoming President Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to reverse this trend and must act quickly in the first 100 days to strengthen America’s competitiveness. Technological competition is a defining feature of today’s political and strategic rivalry between the United States and China. Quantum – a technology with incredible economic and military potential – is set to play a major role in determining which country will rule. China has already surpassed the United States in quantum computing and is making rapid progress in other areas of quantum technology as well. But there are important steps that the future system can still take to overcome quantum speed.

Defeating Quantum Speed

Quantum technology is an interdisciplinary field that combines quantum mechanics and information theory to develop new types of computers, sensors and networks. The speed, accuracy, and performance of quantum technologies far surpass those of classical technologies, which can help unlock revolutionary advancements in various industries. The great potential of quantum technology is what makes it so powerful—the countries with the best quantum technology will also have the best medicine, batteries, fertilizers, intelligence collection and weapons equipment. Quantum technology leadership improves a country’s overall competitiveness while lagging behind in mass can mean falling behind in key sectors, from energy to medicine to logistics and agriculture.

Because of its potential impact, quantum has become an important battleground in the technological competition between the United States and China. The first advantages associated with quantum technology are great. The first country to scale, trade, and aggregate data will open up a wealth of capabilities — such as the ability to crack a public key or perform complex auditing — that adversaries don’t have the tools to. will struggle to fight it. A leading mass country will also have scientific and engineering expertise that is very difficult to cultivate and may take competitive years to replicate.

A quantum leader can even create the first market regulation, set technology standards, and create governance structures that influence whether quantum technologies are used to promote or undermine democratic principles. Absent action to boost American competitiveness, the United States risks repeating the mistakes made in the race to develop and deploy 5G technology. The failure of the United States to overtake China in 5G means that Chinese firms now connect 80 percent of the world’s 5G infrastructure, maintain 70 percent of 5G base stations, and hold a share of three of the “standard-essential” rights related to 5G. At the very least, this Chinese-dominated environment challenges the ability of US companies to compete abroad, complicates the ability of the United States to cooperate with countries that rely on Chinese infrastructure that may be at risk, and reduces US influence on the ways in which 5G technologies are used.

The United States could use many advantages to avoid the same outcome in quantum. The United States is considered a world leader in two of the three quantum technologies – quantum computing and quantum sensing – because of its integrated national policy, advanced research facilities, diverse industry of quantum, high private investment, and sustainable production of quantum-related publications. But China is closing the gap. The Chinese Communist Party pours more public money into quantum technology research and development (R&D) than the United States, Chinese researchers publish more frequently than their US counterparts, and Chinese scientists have achieved several notable technical improvements.

China is already using its power in a third area of ​​quantum technology – quantum communication – to support broader political agendas. In January 2024, Chinese scientists announced the creation of a 3,800-kilometer network connecting Urumqi to Moscow, Russia. China and Russia are reportedly planning to expand the network to Brazil, India and South Africa, which will make communication and data sharing between the BRICS partners more seamless. In short, China is determined to undermine the power of the United States and become the world’s greatest power.

Recommendations for the Next US Administration

The incoming Trump administration has the rare responsibility and opportunity to deliver a quantum leap in the interests of the United States. Changes in the presidential administration provide a unique opportunity to adjust national security priorities, reallocate resources, and create a new strategic plan for the US. The new administration can demonstrate America’s strength in quantum technology by taking immediate steps to strengthen the US quantum ecosystem.

First, the administration should provide funding to implement The Bloch Tech Hub, one of the US Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) two focused Tech Hubs. The Tech Hubs program brings together relevant regional institutions to “create, commercialize and deploy technology that will advance America’s competitiveness.” The Bloch—led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange and located across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—seeks to advance the technology of quantum computing and communication, “providing new solutions for sectors such as finance, energy, biotechnology and manufacturing.” If successful, The Bloch could play an important role in advancing quantum technology research in the United States, expanding the United States’ pool of quantum talent, and improving supply security.

Although The Bloch received a $500,000 Consortium Accelerator Award in July 2024, it was not included in the EDA’s list of recipients of $504 million in Tech Hub Program implementation support. Elevate Quantum – the second specialized Tech Hub of EDA – was included in the list and noted that the implementation funds helped to attract more private capital, retain new participants of consortia, and create services of the highest standards in the world. Similar support for The Bloch is essential for the institute to fulfill its promise to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum technologies.

Second, the president should press Congress to pass the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. The House Science, Space and Technology Committee unanimously approved the legislation in November 2023, which is moving more slowly through the House. But the status of the Senate version – not yet publicly available – is unknown.

The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) – launched in 2018 for a period of five years – announced a comprehensive, coordinated government approach to quantum R&D, created various funding mechanisms for quantum technology, and legislated the authority of number control to certain government agencies. . The Authority will build on the NQI and address its weaknesses by allocating funds for new quantitative institutions and foundations, workforce development, supply chain diversification, and the transition from basic research to advanced R&D. and business. America’s number one leadership depends on the new NQI approval and the president cannot afford further delays in reaching the finish line.

Finally, the new administration should create an international organization focused on quantity to strengthen cooperation between the United States and its partners on quantum R&D, supply security, workforce development, standards and control. Such cooperation is important because no single country has all the keys to the quantum puzzle – quantum technology is deeply international with a global pool of talent, infrastructure and industrial capacity. Like-minded countries must increase their comparative advantage over competitors in the race to develop the most advanced quantum technology.

Most of the US’s international commitments regarding quantum technology have taken the form of bilateral agreements negotiated by the US State Department, such as those of Japan, the United Kingdom and Australia. Bilateral agreements are important, but comprehensive multilateral arrangements—of which none exist—are equally important, especially as countries begin to implement and attempt to connect the control of quantum technology properties. An international quantum organization could mimic the spirit of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council or the Chip 4 Alliance and should include representatives of government, industry and academia.

The United States’ long-standing superiority in quantum technology — the cornerstone of America’s economic and national security — is at risk at a critical turning point. Quantum technologies are on the verge of being ready for the market quickly and US rivals are more determined than ever to beat the United States to quantum leap. But the administration’s transition offers a unique opportunity to assert America’s leadership in the masses and create a brighter future. The incoming Trump administration may take time to fully resource the Tech Hubs Program, pass the NQI approval, and leverage the strength of the United States’ alliances.

Image: A view of a quantum computer (via Getty Images)