The United States government, under the administration of Donald Trump, is negotiating with several quantum computing companies to acquire equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, according to The Wall Street Journal citing sources close to the discussions.

Among the companies involved are IonQ (IONQ), Rigetti Computing (RGTI), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), with possible minimum contributions of $10 million from Washington.

Other firms like Quantum Computing (QUBT) and Atom Computing are also evaluating similar agreements, in a move that would mark a structural shift in U.S. industrial policy towards technological sovereignty.

An industrial policy with “actions in hand”

The White House strategy recalls the recent decision to take a 10% stake in Intel, linking public subsidies to the delivery of shares. These measures reflect President Trump's desire for federal investments to generate direct returns for the state and ensure influence over strategic sectors.

In parallel, the Pentagon became the main shareholder of MP Materials, a key mining company for the production of rare earth magnets, and the U.S. government obtained a “golden share” with veto rights on the purchase of U.S. Steel by the Japanese Nippon Steel.

Quantum computing, national priority

The negotiations are being led by Paul Dabbar, Under Secretary of Commerce and former executive in the quantum sector, which demonstrates Washington's interest in solidifying leadership against powers like China.

Technology companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM are already projecting that commercial quantum computing will be viable in a matter of years, not decades. The federal push seeks to accelerate that horizon through public-private partnerships with high strategic potential.