President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Monday aimed at accelerating the development of quantum computing technology while preparing the United States for the cybersecurity challenges that could accompany its widespread adoption.
The orders represent the latest step in the administration’s broader effort to maintain American technological leadership amid growing competition from China. The initiatives seek both to advance the nation’s quantum computing capabilities and to ensure government and private-sector systems are protected against future threats posed by increasingly powerful computers.
One executive order directs the federal government to pursue the development of an advanced quantum computer capable of supporting next-generation scientific research. Federal agencies will be required to develop plans for integrating quantum technologies into their operations, while the Department of Defense has been tasked with deploying quantum-enabled sensing systems by 2027.
A second order focuses on cybersecurity and the transition to what officials describe as a “post-quantum” security environment. The directive establishes a goal of accelerating the adoption of quantum-resistant encryption standards by 2031, an effort designed to protect sensitive government and commercial data from future quantum systems that may eventually be capable of defeating current cryptographic methods.
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the administration believes meaningful progress could come sooner than many expect. “We believe this can happen by 2028,” he said, referring to the development of a functional quantum computer.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining American leadership in a technology widely viewed as critical to future economic and military power.
“We’re going to be investing in American quantum leadership like never before to stay ahead of the pack. We’re way ahead right now. We’ll keep it that way,” he stated.
Quantum computing relies on the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that would be impractical or impossible for conventional computers. Researchers believe the technology could unlock major advances in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, energy production, logistics, and artificial intelligence. At the same time, experts have warned that sufficiently advanced quantum systems could one day break many of the encryption methods currently used to secure financial transactions, communications networks, and government data.
The orders fit within a broader technology strategy Trump has articulated in recent months. During a recent interview, the president argued that the United States currently holds a significant advantage over China in artificial intelligence and stressed the importance of maintaining that lead. Trump has repeatedly described advanced technologies such as AI and quantum computing as arenas that will help determine global economic and geopolitical leadership in the decades ahead.
That competition has intensified as China continues to invest heavily in quantum research and related technologies. American firms including Google, IBM, Microsoft, and a growing number of startups remain among the global leaders in the field, but policymakers increasingly view continued investment as essential to preserving the nation’s edge.
Administration officials portrayed Monday’s actions as a coordinated effort to ensure the United States captures the benefits of quantum computing while preparing for the risks. By advancing research, encouraging adoption, and accelerating cybersecurity modernization, the White House hopes to position America at the forefront of what many experts believe could become the next major technological revolution.
