Symposium: The U.S.-China Technology Race
The United States and China are engaged in a high-stakes contest over the technologies that will define economic strength, military power, and global influence in the 21st century. From artificial intelligence and semiconductors to biotechnology and quantum computing, both nations are racing to secure an edge. Recent developments—including the emergence of China’s advanced AI model DeepSeek and ongoing legal battles over Chinese-owned TikTok—have heightened U.S. concerns over the intersection of national security and technological competitiveness. Policymakers in Washington continue to grapple with tough decisions: How can the U.S. foster innovation while safeguarding critical industries? Where should it decouple from China, and where might cooperation still be viable?
To help navigate these pressing questions, The National Interest has invited experts to identify the three most important technology policies the U.S. should pursue—or avoid—to remain competitive with China. Their insights, featured in this Tech Policy Symposium on our Techland blog, offer a roadmap for policymakers confronting one of the most consequential geopolitical and economic challenges of our time.
Below you will find links to each expert’s analysis.
Monday, February 24
Dr. Georgianna Shea, Chief Technologist for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).
Ismael Arciniegas Rueda, Senior Economist at the RAND Corporation and a Professor of Public Policy at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.
Mohammed Soliman, Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute’s Cyber Program and a Senior Associate at McLarty Associates’ Middle East and North Africa Practice.
Tuesday, February 25
Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
Yaël Ossowski, Deputy Director of the Consumer Choice Center.
Jack Burnham, Research Analyst in the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Wednesday, February 26
Uri Inspector, Associate Researcher with the Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (MENAF)
Nishank Motwani, Senior Fellow and Director of Alliance Strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and a Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute
Joshua Levine, Technology Policy Research Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation
Thursday, February 27
Suresh Venkatasubramanian, Director for the Center for Technological Responsibility, Reimagination, and Redesign (CNTR) with the Data Science Institute at Brown University
Dr. Mordechai Chaziza, Research Fellow at the Asian Studies Department, University of Haifa
Jim Lewis, Senior Vice President and the Director of the Technology and Public Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Friday, February 28
Nima Khorrami, Research Associate at the Arctic Institute and an Analyst at NSSG.
Manisha Singh, Founder and Principal of Sunstone Strategy Group and a Former Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
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