Three of the scientific breakthroughs foundational to quantum computing were born in American labs. The transistor, the transmon superconducting qubit and Shor’s algorithm (which factors large numbers in polynomial time) were all products of US research. But achieving research breakthroughs is not the same as building industrial capacity. If America does not prioritise creating a market and securing the supply chain, it is fated to license quantum technology back at considerable risk to national security.
