Trump science policy nominee calls China most formidable technology, science competitor

‘Chinese progress in nuclear fusion, quantum technologies and autonomous systems’ highlight urgency of work ahead, said Michael Kratsios

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The flags of China and the US on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:53am, 25 Feb 2025

US President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy says China is the top US competitor in both areas and warned the future depends on who leads in key sectors.

“China has emerged as both our preeminent geopolitical rival and our most formidable technological and scientific competitor,” nominee Michael Kratsios said in written testimony seen by Reuters ahead of his US Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

“The shape of the future global order will be defined by whomever leads across AI, quantum, nuclear, and other critical and emerging technologies. Chinese progress in nuclear fusion, quantum technologies and autonomous systems all press home the urgency of the work ahead,” Kratsios said.

Kratsios in the first Trump administration served as the United States chief technology officer and associate director of the agency he is nominated to lead.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump last month signed an executive order setting a 180-day deadline for an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan to create a policy “to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security”.