WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on June 22, setting development goals for the quantum computing industry meant to establish U.S. dominance in the newly developing science and technology field.
“Quantum technologies represent the next generation of innovation across computing, sensing, and networking with enormous significance for our country’s economic growth, scientific research, and cybersecurity,” Trump said. “It’s really a big deal, what we’re doing today.”
An order titled “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation” sets fast-paced goals, calling on industry leaders to develop the world’s first quantum computer capable of powering advanced scientific research by 2028.
“These policies will drive transformational growth in existing and entirely new industries, and manufacturing, drug discovery, energy, agriculture, and more,” Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said during a briefing call with reporters on June 22.
“Quantum breakthroughs mean innovation, economic growth, national security that will benefit the American people for decades to come.”
Elements of the order are aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain and workforce to support a growing quantum industry.
“We want to keep that positive momentum going,” Trump said. “We’re already the leader by a lot; we’re going to now be the leader by a lot more.”
NASA and the departments of Commerce, War, and Energy are instructed to develop blueprints for widespread deployment of quantum networks within the next five years.
“This is taking it to the next level,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said during the signing ceremony. “This is tricky, we’re not there yet, but we’re close.”
The order regulates international partnerships by hardening international property, security, and research protections “in light of competitors and adversaries looking to undermine U.S. economic and national security,” Kratsios said.
A second order, titled “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” directs government officials to expedite the adoption of post-quantum security measures.
“A piece of this is providing guidance to the agencies, clear guidance to all the agencies,” a senior administration official told The Epoch Times during the briefing call, noting a planned pilot program for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Existing security protocols are no match for quantum processors, and officials are seeking to mitigate potential harm as new technologies become available.
“Promoting innovation and strengthening cybersecurity go hand-in-hand together,” Kratsios said.
The order notes concerns that foreign actors may harvest classified data now and attempt to decrypt it later once new technologies emerge.
The Office of Management and Budget director, the secretary of War, the NASA administrator, and the administrator of General Services are tasked with coordinating with the secretary of Homeland Security, the director of National Intelligence, and the director of NIST to oversee procurement and implementation of advanced security protocols.
Computer giant IBM’s CEO Arvid Krishna, Google President Ruth Porat, and Nobel Prize-winning quantum physicist John Martinis joined the president and members of his administration for the signing.
During his first term in office, Trump signed the National Quantum Initiative Act, doubling the amount of money the federal government spends on researching quantum technologies. His administration oversaw the launch of five national quantum research institutes, with $625 million in funding commitments renewed last year.
“President Trump has long recognized the importance of quantum as an economic and national security imperative for the nation,” Kratsios said.
“Now, in the second term, we aren’t letting our foot off the gas.”
The president sent him a letter in 2025 prioritizing quantum, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy as the nation’s most important industries.
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