Trump Eyes $10 Million Investments in IonQ and D-Wave to Keep Pace With China’s Quantum Push

Washington’s “Made in America” investment campaign is entering a new phase… and this time, it’s turning toward quantum computing.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is in talks with several quantum-computing firms about trading federal funding for government equity stakes, a move that could mark a new stage in Washington’s approach to strategic technology investment.

While discussions are still in the beginning stages… reports say that the Commerce Department is considering investments in IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum, while Quantum Computing Inc. and Atom Computing are also weighing similar arrangements. Each stake would reportedly start at about $10 million, though the amounts could rise depending on performance milestones.

But as we’ve all come to expect, investors didn’t wait for confirmation. IonQ rose 11%, D-Wave jumped 20%, Rigetti gained 13%, and Quantum Computing Inc. advanced 10% following the report… signaling renewed optimism around a sector that for a long time has struggled to prove its commercial value.

The proposed investments reflect a growing shift in industrial policy under Trump’s second term. Rather than merely subsidizing key sectors, the federal government is beginning to take ownership positions in companies it considers vital to national security. 

Earlier this year, the Pentagon acquired a 15% stake in rare-earth miner MP Materials following a $400 million investment. Soon after, the administration took a 10% stake in Intel… the only U.S. firm currently producing advanced AI chips domestically. Quantum computing now appears to be next in line for the “Intel treatment.”

Top officials have been clear about the reasoning behind this new model. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration plans to “invest where public money creates strategic advantage.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that taxpayers deserve to share in the success of companies built with federal funds. “If taxpayers are funding America’s breakthroughs,” he said, “taxpayers should share in the upside.”

Trump’s focus on quantum computing reflects the technology’s potential importance. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, the field promises to tackle complex problems far beyond the reach of today’s most powerful supercomputers… with potential applications spanning medicine, finance, defense, and cybersecurity.

Take China for example, they have made major advances in quantum research, including launching quantum-encrypted satellites and prioritizing the field in its five-year economic plans. That has raised concerns in Washington that falling behind could weaken the U.S. in future technological and defense competitions.

Still, it’s worth noting that quantum computing remains largely experimental. Companies like Google, IBM, and Rigetti have achieved significant milestones, but practical, scalable systems may still be years (or even decades) away. A July report from Bank of America described quantum computing as “the biggest revolution for humanity since discovering fire,” yet even its supporters acknowledge that commercial adoption remains distant.

Analysts say the administration’s involvement signals a long-term commitment to securing American leadership in critical technologies. Daniel Ives of Wedbush Securities called the initiative “a strategic pivot,” noting that it allows the government to benefit financially if these companies succeed while keeping key technologies under U.S. control.

While nothing has been signed, the direction of policy leaves little doubt. The government wants a direct role (and a share of the upside) as the next computing revolution unfolds.

At the time of publishing this article, Stocks.News holds positions in Intel and Google as mentioned in the article.