The digital world is the new great power arena, and America’s technological dominance is being threatened. China’s acceleration to establish itself as a technology superpower arguably presents the most consequential challenge. To remain secure and keep America first in innovation, the United States needs an urgent and fundamental recalibration of its approach. The era of avoidance and complacency is finished. We need to take clear, meaningful, and empathetic action.
For decades, the U.S. has been the tech world’s big dog. Its businesses have changed the world and driven innovation around the globe. Chinese people using Internet China’s radical, U.S.-defying vision for the Internet This strategy has enabled it to create a robust domestic tech economy that competes with and in some respects outcompetes the United States. This issue is about more than just economic competition. Rather, it’s about creating equitable governance of the future of technology and holding power that’s aligned with it.
The U.S. has operated under the auspices of global hegemony for nearly 50 years. The world is changing, and the unipolar moment is coming to an end. The fragility of our global economic system was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as much, Russia’s war in Ukraine has crystallized this horrible truth. At the same time, the U.S. is watching its hegemony challenged by China and other countries that are claiming more regional control.
This is not about beating back competition or using the federal government to sort of engage in protectionist behavior. It's about recognizing the strategic implications of China's technological advancements, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductors. These technologies are not just commercial crown jewels, they are the foundation of tomorrow’s military superiority and economic strength. The Secretary of Defense might as well hand over the keys to our own defenses by allowing unfettered access to these new technologies.
You need look no further than the progression of 5G technology to see how high the stakes are. China is indeed pursuing an aggressive plan to dominate the 5G market. That has fueled fears of security vulnerabilities on Chinese-made equipment and ignited a worldwide race to find viable alternatives. This is a microcosm of the broader challenge: how to foster innovation while mitigating the risks posed by a competitor with potentially conflicting geopolitical interests.
Critics argue that denying China access to technology is an act of economic warfare. They view it as the last gasp of a hegemonic power in relative decline seeking to reassert its dominance over the world’s system. They warn that these type of measures risk harming innovation and global economic growth. Not only are these concerns misplaced, but they don’t even account for the national security threat of rampant technological transfer.
To folk like us, who believe that open collaboration and the free exchange of ideas are key ingredients for progress, this is unacceptable. Limiting China’s access to technology won’t work—they say it’ll only kill innovation and compel China to develop their own substitutes. There is some truth to this, but it’s a risk we have to find a way to mitigate, not an excuse for not moving forward. We need to be targeted and strategic, focusing on technologies that are critical to our national security while fostering collaboration in areas where the risks are lower.
Finding that balance won’t be easy, but it is absolutely essential. We cannot allow it to get to that point of full decoupling—that would be financially harmful to us and strategically foolish. Instead, we need a nuanced approach that combines targeted export controls, robust investment in domestic research and development, and close collaboration with our allies.
We are strengthening our own export control regime. This will help ensure that sensitive technologies, particularly those with military applications, do not continue to flow to China. We are serious about working hard and reinvesting into our research and development infrastructure. It’s how we make sure we remain a leading innovator on the national stage in areas that matter most. We need to cooperate deeply with our allies to develop a global, allied technology policy. In so doing, this approach will further the public’s interest and encourage fair competition.
I’ve seen acutely how quickly technology has changed and the key role cybersecurity plays. As a journalist, I’ve seen the vulnerabilities in our systems firsthand. It was eye-opening to see how simple it is for information to be probed and distorted. After all, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The U.S. must engage in discussions with international alliances with a clear understanding of its essential requirements and minimum acceptable terms, acknowledging its diminished dominance. A spirit of compromise for things that aren’t deal-breakers goes a long way toward building those deep connections and finding shared wins among allies.
The road ahead is not without a battle. Make no mistake, there will be opposition from industry and their short-term profits trump long-term security. As with anything new, there will be a few missteps and adjustments made as we go. The alternative – letting China continue to build an irretrievable lead in critical technologies – is just not acceptable.
The future of American prosperity and security will be determined in large part by our ability to meet and learn to live within this new normal. It demands a strong and clear rebuttal—a rebuttal, indeed, that defends our technological leadership, protects our intellectual property and ingenuity while encouraging innovation and collaboration. It’s time to play tech’s great game with the seriousness and strategic long-term vision it requires. The stakes may be high enough that there’s no other option.
