The world is on the brink of a quantum revolution, and America’s lead in quantum technology is shrinking fast. Recently, the United Nations Dr announcement 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, predicts that quantum will be “a key cross-cutting scientific field of the 21st century” with “tremendous impact on important societal challenges”. Yet while the global quantum ecosystem is on the cusp of significant technological progress, the US has a historic edge in the technology decrease
Incoming President Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to reverse this trend and should act quickly in the first 100 days to revive America’s quantum competitiveness. Technology competition is a defining feature of today’s geopolitical landscape and the strategic competition between the United States and China. Quantum—a technology with tremendous economic and military potential—is Set to play an outsized role Determining which country prevails. Already China by performing Quantum Communication and the United States make rapid progress Also in other subsets of quantum technology. But there are still critical steps the incoming administration can take to win the quantum race.
Win the quantum race
Quantum technology is an interdisciplinary field put together Quantum mechanics and information theory to create new types of computers, sensors and networks. Quantum technology has far greater speed, accuracy and efficiency than classical technology, which could help unlock transformative advances across a range of industries. The far-reaching potential of quantum technology is what makes it so powerful – the countries with the best quantum technology There will also be Best pharmaceuticals, batteries, fertilizers, intelligence gathering, and weapons systems. Quantum technology leadership increases overall national competitiveness while quantum lag means falling behind in key sectors from energy to pharmaceuticals to material design and agriculture.
Given its potential impact, quantum has become a key battleground in the technology competition between the US and China. The first-mover advantages associated with quantum technology are substantial. The first country to scale, commercialize and integrate quantum will unlock a Toolkit of Power—such as the ability to crack public key encryption or conduct complex surveillance operations—that non-quantum-equipped adversaries would struggle to counter. A nation leading in quantum will also possess science and engineering expertise that is highly Difficult to cultivate And it can take competitors years to replicate.
Quantum frontrunners can even dominate early markets, set technology standards, and create governance structures that influence whether quantum technology is used to promote or undermine democratic principles. Absent steps to enhance America’s quantum competitiveness, the United States risks repeating the mistakes it made in the race to develop and deploy 5G technology. United States of America Failed to overtake China 5G now means Chinese companies connection 80 percent of 5G devices worldwide, maintain 70 percent of 5G base stations, and keep A third of 5G-related “standard-essential” patents. At the very least, this China-dominant ecosystem Challenges the ability of U.S. companies to compete abroad, complicates the U.S.’s ability to partner with countries dependent on potentially compromised Chinese infrastructure, and reduces U.S. influence over the ways in which 5G technology is deployed.
The United States could take several advantages to avoid a similar outcome in quantum. The United States is widely considered D world leader Thanks to its well-coordinated national quantum strategy, leading research facilities, diverse quantum industry, high private investment, and consistent output of quality quantum-related publications in two of the three subsets of quantum technology—quantum computing and quantum sensing. But China close the gap. Chinese Communist Party pours With dramatically more public funding than the U.S. in general quantum technology research and development (R&D), Chinese researchers Publish more Often compared to their US counterparts, and there are Chinese scientists achievement Several significant technological advances.
China is already using it dominance A third subset of quantum technology—quantum communication—is intended to support larger geopolitical objectives. In January 2024, Chinese scientists announcement Construction of a 3,800-kilometer quantum network connecting Urumqi to Moscow, Russia. China and Russia plan to expand the network to Brazil, India and South Africa, which will strengthen communication and data sharing between the BRICS partners. In short, China actively seeks to undermine the power of the United States and become a global quantum superpower.
Recommendations for the next US administration
The incoming Trump administration has a responsibility and a rare opportunity to tip the quantum scale for the United States. Changes in Presidential Administration current A unique opportunity to realign national security priorities, redistribute resources, and set a new tone for US policy. The new administration could signal American strength in quantum technology by taking some immediate steps to boost the US quantum ecosystem.
First, the administration should provide implementation funding to The Bloch Tech Hub, two of the US Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) quantum-focused Tech Hubs. Tech Hub Programme united Relevant regional institutions to “develop, commercialize, and deploy technologies that will improve American competitiveness.” The Bloch—led by Chicago Quantum Exchange and located across Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin—by trying Advanced quantum computing and communication technologies, “enabling new solutions for sectors such as finance, energy, biotechnology, and manufacturing.” If successful, The Bloch could play an important role in driving U.S. quantum technology research, expanding the U.S. quantum talent pool, and improving supply chain security.
Although The Bloch received a $500,000 consortium accelerator award in July 2024, it was not included EDA lists recipients of $504 million in Tech Hub Program implementation support. Improve Quantum—EDA’s second quantum-specific tech hub—was included in the list and Note that Implementation funds that have helped attract additional private capital, secure new consortia participants and establish world-class quantum facilities. Similar support is critical for The Bloch to deliver on the Hub’s promise to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum technologies.
Second, the president should push Congress to pass it National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. House Science, Space and Technology Committee Unanimously The law passed in November 2023, which happened continued Slowly going through the house. But the status of the Senate version—which is not yet publicly available—is unknown.
The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) – initially launched in 2018 for a five-year period –on A whole-of-government, coordinated approach to quantum R&D has established various funding mechanisms for quantum technologies and legislated quantum oversight authorities for specific government agencies. Reauthorization will build upon and address the NQI Weakness by useful Funding for new quantum institutes and foundries, workforce development, supply chain diversification, and transition from basic research to more advanced R&D and commercialization. US quantum leadership the hinge on the reauthorization of the NQI and the President can no longer delay getting it across the finish line.
Finally, the new administration should establish a quantum-focused international organization to enhance cooperation between the United States and its allies on quantum research and development, supply chain security, workforce development, standards and regulation. Such cooperation is important because Not a single country Contains all the keys to the quantum puzzle—quantum technology Deeply international With talent, infrastructure and industrial capabilities spread globally. Like-minded nations must leverage their comparative advantages to outcompete competitors in the race to develop the most advanced quantum technologies
most of US international engagement in quantum technology has taken the form of bilateral agreements negotiated by the US State Department, e.g. Japanthe UKAnd Australia. Bilateral agreements are valuable, but comprehensive multilateral frameworks—none of which currently exist—are equally important, especially as countries start Attempting to implement and align quantum technology export controls. For quantum can model the consciousness of international organizations EU-US Trade and Technology Council or Chip 4 alliance and should include representatives from government, industry and academia.
The United States’ longstanding dominance of quantum technology—the bedrock of U.S. economic and national security—is under threat at a critical inflection point. Quantum technologies are rapidly approaching market readiness, and US adversaries are more determined than ever to beat the US to the quantum punch. But the change in administration presents a unique opportunity to reclaim American leadership in quantum and shape a brighter future. The incoming Trump administration could seize the moment by fully resourcing the Tech Hubs program, passing NQI reauthorization, and leveraging the strength of the US alliance.