U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at accelerating the American quantum computing industry, in a move tied to the broader technological and strategic competition with China, according to c14. The White House said its main goal is to deploy a quantum computer with meaningful scientific research capabilities by 2028. At the signing ceremony, Trump said the United States would invest in quantum leadership "like never before."
Quantum computing is widely viewed as one of the most important technologies of the coming years because it could solve complex problems far faster than today’s supercomputers. One major part of the orders focuses on quantum sensors for the Pentagon. The stated target is for the U.S. defense establishment to begin deploying such sensors by 2027.
Those sensors are intended to provide precise navigation even when GPS signals are disrupted or blocked. Over time, the technology could also help detect suspicious underground activity, including tunnels or fortified facilities, even through satellite-based systems.
The administration is also preparing for the cyber risks of the quantum era. Future quantum computers could break encryption methods now used to protect medical, financial, and government data. The second order moves the deadline for transitioning to quantum-resistant encryption up to 2031, to help protect critical infrastructure such as power grids, water facilities, and government systems.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. government has already begun pouring billions of dollars into startups and major corporations in the sector, in an effort to turn quantum computing from a laboratory technology into a practical tool. In the White House’s view, the effort is part of a larger race for technological supremacy that could shape the economy, security, and digital sphere for decades.
