US Declares Quantum Computing a National Priority: 2028 Goal

What happened?

US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on June 22, 2026, making quantum computing a national priority. The first sets the goal of developing the first quantum computer powerful enough for scientific research before 2028. The second mandates all federal civilian systems to migrate to post-quantum cryptography before 2031, advancing the deadline set by the Biden administration by four years, which was originally 2035.

Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, stated: "We believe this can happen in 2028," referring to the arrival of a competent quantum computer, and described that moment as the beginning of "a new era of commercial capabilities." The move comes amid growing rivalry with China, which has invested over $15 billion in quantum computing since 2020, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The US, for its part, has allocated about $8 billion in the same period, but private investment, led by IBM, Google, and startups like IonQ and Rigetti, exceeds $20 billion.

The orders also establish an interagency committee to coordinate quantum research and technology acquisition, and require an annual report to Congress on progress. This echoes the Biden administration's semiconductor initiative, which with the CHIPS Act mobilized $52 billion to revive chip manufacturing in the US. However, unlike semiconductors, quantum computing is still in the experimental phase, adding uncertainty.

Why is it important?

Quantum computing represents a technological leap comparable to the invention of the transistor or artificial intelligence. Its ability to solve problems that classical computers would take thousands of years to process has implications in fields such as cryptography, materials science, pharmacology, and artificial intelligence. For example, a quantum computer could simulate complex molecules to design drugs much more efficiently, or optimize global supply chains in real time.

The most immediate risk is the vulnerability of current encryption systems. The scientific community has reached a consensus that classical encryption technologies will be vulnerable before large-scale quantum hardware arrives. Google Quantum AI argues that a quantum computer with fewer than half a million physical qubits could crack the algorithms used by current cryptocurrencies in minutes. This would jeopardize not only Bitcoin but also banking, government communications, and critical infrastructure.

The quantum race pits the United States against China, the two technological superpowers, and its outcome could redefine the global balance of power, similar to what happened with semiconductors or artificial intelligence. China already holds the largest number of quantum patents worldwide (over 3,000 compared to 1,500 for the US, according to WIPO) and has operationalized the Zuchongzhi quantum computer with 66 qubits, while Google reached 53 qubits with Sycamore in 2019. However, error correction remains the main obstacle: current qubits have error rates of 1-10%, and logical qubits with errors below 0.001% are needed for practical applications.

Immediate consequences

The acceleration of the migration to post-quantum cryptography will force all federal agencies to update their computer security systems in record time. Technology companies, banks, and critical infrastructure providers will have to follow suit to maintain interoperability with the government. The estimated cost of the migration for the federal government could exceed $10 billion, according to a 2025 GAO report. Companies like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft already offer post-quantum cryptography services, but the massive transition will require years of planning.

The 2028 goal for a useful quantum computer will boost public and private investment in research. Companies like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and quantum startups are expected to receive funding and government contracts. IBM has already announced its roadmap to achieve 1,000 logical qubits by 2028, while Google aims for 1 million physical qubits by 2030. The training of specialized talent will also accelerate: the US needs at least 10,000 additional quantum engineers by 2030, according to the National Quantum Initiative.

On the geopolitical front, the move pressures China, which has heavily invested in quantum computing and holds leading patents and publications. The quantum race adds to the technological rivalry between the two powers, with implications for national security and economic competitiveness. China has already begun implementing quantum communication networks (such as the Micius satellite) and plans a 100-qubit quantum computer by 2027. Beijing's response could include export restrictions on critical materials like helium-3, needed for some qubits, or accelerating its own investments.

What readers should know

Quantum computing still faces significant technical challenges, primarily error correction. Current quantum computers have high error rates and require extreme temperature conditions (near absolute zero). The 2028 milestone refers to a quantum computer with sufficient error correction for scientific applications, not a universal machine. This first system is expected to be a "fault-tolerant quantum computer" with about 100 logical qubits, capable of performing calculations that no classical supercomputer can emulate.

The migration to post-quantum cryptography is not optional: any organization handling long-term sensitive data should start the transition now. Current encryption algorithms (RSA, ECC) could be broken by quantum computers within the next decade. NIST has already selected four standard post-quantum algorithms (CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Falcon, and SPHINCS+) in 2024, and federal agencies are expected to adopt them before 2031. Companies like Cloudflare and Google have already begun testing the migration in their services.

For investors, quantum computing represents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity. Diversification and close monitoring of technical milestones, such as the number of logical qubits and quantum gate fidelity, are recommended. Quantum startups raised over $5 billion in 2025, but many still do not generate significant revenue. Companies like IonQ and Rigetti trade publicly with high valuations, while giants like IBM and Google invest for the long term.

Society at large should prepare for disruptive changes in cybersecurity, drug discovery, logistics optimization, and climate modeling. Quantum computing will not replace classical computers but will complement them in specific tasks. For example, in the pharmaceutical sector, it could reduce drug development time from 10 to 2 years; in logistics, it could optimize transport routes saving millions of dollars; and in climate, it could accurately model the behavior of molecules in the atmosphere. However, widespread adoption will take decades, and the first commercial impacts are expected around 2030-2035.