Exchanges The US-China Tech Race
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Dec 10, 2025 
Mark Kennedy, founding director of the Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition, teams up with Paul Triolo, partner at DGA Albright Stonebridge Group, to delve into the riveting US-China tech rivalry. They dissect the impact of US export controls on China's tech landscape and how these measures have accelerated China's drive for chip independence. The duo explores semiconductor choke points, the potential for self-sufficiency, and the critical role of energy availability for AI infrastructure. Unpacking each nation's strengths, they paint a vivid picture of the tech race's future.
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Invest In Research, Talent And Energy
- Increase research funding, attract global talent, and scale infrastructure to match China's deliberate investments.
- Prioritize reliable standards, energy scale, and consistent policy to preserve trust and compute capacity.
Foundry Ownership Has Tradeoffs
- Government stakes in industry (e.g., Intel) help foundries but may create long-term governance and restructuring problems.
- U.S. foundry capacity at scale remains limited, with Intel as the main domestic player.
Sustained Targeting Drives China’s Gains
- China wins by sustained, targeted investment in key technologies and global markets.
- Their focus on markets, supply chains, and willingness to sacrifice short-term performance yields geopolitical reach.