Core Insights - The Trump administration is increasing efforts to secure US supply chains for critical minerals and semiconductors by converting federal grants into equity stakes, aiming to reduce reliance on China [2][4] - US quantum computing firms saw a surge in shares after reports of potential equity stakes from the government, with companies like IONQ, Rigetti, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing experiencing increases between 12% and 14% [4] - The Defiance Quantum ETF, which tracks quantum computing and machine learning companies, rose by 2.6%, building on a 32% gain for the year [4] Company Developments - Microsoft introduced a new chip in February, claiming that practical quantum computing is "years, not decades" away [3] - IBM announced plans to develop a practical quantum computer by 2029 [3] - The US Commerce Department clarified that it is "not currently negotiating with any of the companies" regarding equity stakes [1][4] Industry Trends - Quantum computers utilize quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that classical computers would take thousands of years to address, although current quantum systems are not yet faster than classical computers due to error correction demands [2][4] - The shift from traditional subsidies to direct ownership in companies like Lithium Americas, MP Materials, and Intel reflects a broader strategy to enhance domestic supply chains [2][4]