Episode 39: U.S. Commission: Be Quantum First by 2030

In this special episode, host Veronica Combs is joined by Leland Miller and Mike Kuiken, members of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. They discuss the Commission's 2025 report on U.S.-China relations and one of the Top 10 recommendations: Quantum First by 2030. Leland and Mike share what they learned from visiting quantum labs and the strategic importance of funding a robust quantum ecosystem. The commissioners share their analysis of supply chain security, the importance of funding basic scientific research and the crucial role of government and private sector collaboration. Don't miss this in-depth exploration into the future of quantum technology and its national security implications.

Link to report, Live on 11/18: https://www.uscc.gov/annual-report/2025-annual-report-congress

00:00 Introduction to The Quantum Spin Podcast

00:34 Meet the Guests: Leland Miller and Mike Kuiken

01:35 Overview of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

02:55 Focus on Quantum Industry Recommendations

04:18 Quantum's National Security Implications

05:38 The Importance of Quantum Software and Ecosystem

09:22 Supply Chains and Quantum Technology

11:49 Biotech and Quantum: Converging Technologies

13:52 China's Quantum Strategy vs. U.S. Innovation

27:51 Workforce Development in Quantum Technology

32:13 Future Investments and Policy Recommendations

35:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mike Kuiken serves as a Commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission following nearly 23 years in the U.S. Senate. He is Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He is also a member of Anthropic’s National Security and Public Sector Advisory Council, and consults with CEOs, boards, and senior leaders across investment, AI, defense, technology, and multinational firms globally.

Leland R. Miller serves as a Commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and is the co-founder and CEO of China Beige Book. A noted authority on China’s economy and financial system, he is a frequent commentator on media outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg TV, CNN, and FOX Business. Before co-founding China Beige Book in 2010, Leland was a capital markets attorney based out of New York and Hong Kong and worked on the deal team at a major investment bank.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients at HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 15 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with HKA Marketing Communications on LinkedIn at

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hka-inc--public-relations/ or on our website at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom