Trump Signs Quantum Orders, Sets 2028 Deployment Goal and 2031 Security Deadline

Orders set specific deadlines for scientific research use by 2028 and for defenses against security threats by 2031

Trump pledges unprecedented investment to secure US leadership as nations compete over global standards and technology ecosystems

IBM and Alphabet executives attend signing as Commerce Department funding for quantum companies gains momentum

President Donald Trump unveiled a national push to speed the practical deployment of quantum computing.

The move underscores his administration’s bid to secure an advantage in the technology race with China.

Trump signed two executive orders on June 22 aimed at accelerating development of advanced quantum computers and limiting cybersecurity risks tied to the emerging technology, the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets reported.

Under the first order, Trump directed federal agencies including the Department of Energy to work with private companies and universities to deploy high-performance quantum computers by 2028 for use in scientific research.

He also ordered the Commerce Department and the Defense Department to deploy quantum sensors within five years that could replace the Global Positioning System, or GPS, using quantum mechanics.

Quantum sensors could help keep weapons systems operating reliably on battlefields where GPS jamming is widespread.

A senior White House official said the goals would serve as a stepping stone toward scaling up the broader quantum-computing system.

The second executive order addresses the threat of quantum-enabled hacking that could render current encryption standards obsolete.

Trump directed government agencies to complete the transition of core government systems to quantum-resistant cryptography, or QPC, by 2031.

The aim is to strengthen security across government and the private sector in advance so critical national infrastructure is not paralyzed.

Rebecca Krauthamer, chief executive officer of quantum security company QSecure, said it was important that the government set a specific deadline at a moment when the security transition could no longer remain theoretical.

Quantum computers are considered a potential game changer because they can solve difficult problems in certain fields far faster than conventional supercomputers.

Countries around the world are pouring vast sums into the sector to gain an edge in technical standards and ecosystem development because of the technology’s potential across advanced industries.

Meeting the new targets would mark a major milestone in demonstrating the commercial viability of quantum technology.

At the signing ceremony, Trump said the US would make an unprecedented level of investment to reinforce its leading position in quantum computing.

The action also coincides with the US Commerce Department’s provision of billions of dollars in funding to quantum-related companies.

The June 22 signing ceremony at the White House drew senior technology executives involved in private-sector investment, including IBM Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna and Alphabet President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat.

Park Sang-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter highseoul@hankyung.com