Trump admin denies report it's seeking stakes in quantum computing firms amid China tech race

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is not negotiating equity stakes in U.S. quantum computing firms, countering a report that suggested potential investments in companies like IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum [1][2][11] Group 1: Government's Position on Quantum Computing Investments - The Commerce Department confirmed that it is not currently in talks to take equity stakes in quantum computing companies [1] - This statement follows a Wall Street Journal report that claimed the administration was considering investments to enhance the U.S. technological edge against China [2] - The White House reiterated that it is not in discussions with the companies mentioned in the Journal's report [11] Group 2: Context of Quantum Computing Industry - Quantum computing is recognized as a significant emerging technology with implications for defense and artificial intelligence, with analysts predicting viable commercial machines within five years [5] - Global revenue for quantum computing was reported to be under $750 million in 2024, with most U.S. federal investment focused on research grants and public-private partnerships rather than equity stakes [6] - The government has previously taken equity stakes in other technology firms, such as a 10% stake in Intel and a 15% stake in MP Materials, indicating a cautious approach to direct ownership in frontier technologies [5][9]