US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Tuesday aimed at advancing the development of powerful quantum computing technology and enhancing the cybersecurity of government systems. The moves are part of a broader effort to maintain American leadership in the emerging field of quantum science amid increasing competition with China.
One of the orders directs federal agencies to accelerate the creation of a high-performance quantum computer for scientific research, with the goal of achieving this milestone by 2028, according to Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The technology, which leverages principles of quantum physics, has the potential to outperform the most advanced classical supercomputers in solving complex computational problems.
The second executive order focuses on protecting government information systems against cyber threats that could arise from the future use of quantum computers. It mandates the migration of critical federal IT infrastructure to post-quantum cryptography — encryption methods designed to withstand attacks by quantum machines — by no later than 2031. This measure responds to concerns that quantum computers could eventually break current encryption standards, exposing sensitive data to malicious actors.
The administration’s actions also underscore the strategic importance of quantum technology, which has implications for artificial intelligence, materials science, and chemical research. Kratsios emphasized that the United States faces significant challenges from “competitors and adversaries” seeking to undermine the country’s economic and national security through intellectual property theft and supply chain vulnerabilities. To counter these threats, one of the executive orders calls for enhanced international cooperation on protecting intellectual property and securing supply chains linked to quantum technologies.
In addition, federal agencies are instructed to develop plans within the next five years to deploy quantum-enabled sensors and networks, technologies expected to improve various applications ranging from navigation to communications.
The government’s intensified focus on quantum computing follows a recent announcement by the Commerce Department, which committed $2 billion in investments across nine companies in the sector, including a new IBM-related venture. These measures align with the broader US strategy to maintain a competitive edge over China in critical future technologies.
Together, these policies reflect the Trump administration’s efforts to simultaneously harness the promise of quantum innovation and mitigate its associated cybersecurity risks as the technology moves closer to practical application.