Signal US and China lead in different critical technologies

Summary

Drawing on an SCSP assessment, the report maps leadership in critical technologies between the two powers. China has secured an overwhelming lead in fields where strong manufacturing infrastructure and large-scale deployment are decisive, such as advanced batteries, advanced manufacturing, 5G infrastructure and commercial drones. The US leads in cutting-edge fields that depend on scientific breakthroughs and basic research, including quantum computing, semiconductors, synthetic biology, fusion energy and internet platforms. AI, biopharmaceuticals and next-generation networks are areas of fierce head-to-head competition. China's integrated ecosystem built on its manufacturing base allows it to commercialise and scale new technologies quickly.