Commission Urges Congress to Launch Quantum Technology Initiative Against China

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission presented its 2025 annual report to Congress today, calling for a sweeping quantum technology initiative to counter Chinese advances.

As reported by industry sources, the bipartisan commission warns that whoever leads in quantum computing and artificial intelligence will control digital economy encryption, enable breakthroughs in materials and medicine, and gain persistent intelligence advantages.

"It is imperative that the United States treat quantum not as a research silo but as a mission-critical national capability," the report states.

China continues pouring significant resources into quantum computing and artificial intelligence, technologies with dual-use purposes that could accelerate military and intelligence capabilities. The commission recommends Congress establish a quantum first goal by 2030, focusing on three domains: cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science.

Congress should provide significant funding for quantum development covering scalable computing, secure communications, and post-quantum cryptography. The report proposes creating a Quantum Software Engineering Institute modeled on National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes.

The commission also recommends establishing a unified economic statecraft entity to address Chinese evasion of US export controls. This organization would include the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, and other agencies.

Congress should strengthen export controls on AI-enabling chips by changing licensing from a presumption of denial to a policy of denial for Chinese exports. The commission suggests requiring advanced chips to be accessed exclusively via cloud rather than through direct sales.