What Sputnik couldn’t do to American science, Beijing has

The United States has embraced a strategy to secure technological leadership, which is now viewed as a security objective rather than an economic advantage. This shift in perspective is exemplified by the country's investment in key firms and personnel, such as Intel, US Steel, US$400 million in MP Materials, and stakes in 30 firms valued at US$26.7 billion.

In 2025, Nvidia and AMD reduced their China chip sale revenues to 15% in exchange for export licences. The US government's National Security Science and Technology Strategy, introduced on August 18, emphasizes the importance of avoiding contests where adversaries can easily counter US moves and refrains from spending on replicating what rivals have already built better.

The strategy targets three domains – undersea, space, artificial intelligence, and autonomy – while promoting alignment through milestone contracts with competing vendors, expedited clearances, and streamlined collaborations between laboratories, firms, and departments. Universities are also integrated into this structure. However, the strategy faces challenges, such as a rule cap on student visas at four years, which deters collaborations and diverts funds away from unnamed sectors.

The US recognizes that technological leadership cannot be achieved solely through control over resources like Intel or fabrication plants; it relies on attracting top-tier global talent and providing them with the freedom to innovate.