Zoe Lofgren on US Quantum Leadership vs. China and Trump Administration Policies

US Quantum Leadership at an Inflection Point

• 🇺🇸 For years, the United States led in quantum information science through investments in academia, industry, and government, with the US government investing nearly $1 billion in 2023.
• 🇨🇳 However, China has become a peer competitor, investing over four times more in quantum R&D in 2024 and announcing a $138 billion fund for emerging technologies, leading in segments like quantum communications.

Reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative Act

• 🔑 To maintain leadership, the US must renew its commitment through actions, starting with the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act.
• 🤝 Working together on this bill across the committee is crucial for progress.

Federal Agency Support and Funding

• 🏛️ Ensuring federal agencies like the NSF, NIST, DOE, and NASA are fully staffed and resourced is vital.
• ✂️ The Trump administration's budget proposals were destructive, but Congress provided strong support; future budget requests should not repeat past cuts.
• 📚 Funding must extend beyond programs with "quantum" in their name to include feeder fields like physics, mathematics, and engineering, which are critical for the quantum workforce.

Quantum Workforce and Talent Attraction

• 🎓 The US must cultivate a quantum-capable workforce by supporting domestic talent and attracting foreign talent.
• 🚫 The Trump administration's policies of turning away foreign talent and canceling domestic training programs are detrimental.
• 🌍 If the US is not a destination for global quantum talent, other nations will be.

Addressing Supply Chain Challenges

• 📦 Severe supply chain challenges hinder industry and academia from building quantum machines in America.
• 📉 Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration create additional costs and vulnerabilities for the quantum industry, hurting domestic manufacturers.
• ❓ The chaotic approach to tariff policy, including threats and reversals, makes the US an unreliable base for manufacturing, causing quantum startups to question its stability.