The UK and US intend to sign a landmark quantum computing pact to counter China’s efforts to dominate the transformative technology.
The countries are set to finalize a significant technology partnership pact covering AI, quantum computing, biotech, and infrastructure development, with quantum computing expected to be a key component. It was revealed during President Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK, according to a statement from the British Embassy in Washington on Saturday.
“Cutting-edge technology such as AI and quantum computing will transform our lives,” UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who was appointed to her role on Sept. 5, said in a statement.
Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike regular computers that use bits, quantum computers use qubits, which allow them to solve complex problems more quickly by performing many calculations simultaneously.
China’s aggressive push in this field has raised concerns in the West, particularly regarding encryption, AI, and potential military applications.
U.S. defense officials recently traveled to the UK to work alongside British scientists in advancing quantum technology.
Trump is scheduled to depart for the UK on Tuesday, marking his second official state visit since taking office. The three-day itinerary is expected to highlight strengthened U.S.-UK cooperation in technology, trade, and investment amid rising global competition, particularly with China.
Accompanying Trump will be a high-profile delegation of American business leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also reportedly been invited and may join for key events.
In the summer of 2025, Huang declared during a keynote address at the GTC Paris Developer Conference that quantum computing is approaching a critical “inflection point,” where major breakthroughs and practical applications are becoming imminent.
Since early 2025, both the United States and UK have released AI Action Plans, signaling a deepening commitment to technological collaboration. U.S. companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI are expanding their presence in London, while UK firms like DeepMind are strengthening transatlantic partnerships.
According to Sky News on Saturday, BlackRock plans to invest $700 million in UK data centers—part of a series of agreements expected to be unveiled during President Trump’s upcoming state visit.
This approval marks a significant consolidation in the quantum computing sector and aligns with broader U.S.-UK efforts to advance next-generation technologies amid intensifying global competition.
Reuters contributed to this report.
