Strategic Energy Competition: Nuclear Fusion Development Reshapes US-China Technological Rivalry
The competition between Washington and Beijing over nuclear fusion technology is a key aspect of 21st-century geopolitical rivalry, impacting not just energy policy but also artificial intelligence, military applications, and global economic power. China has invested at least $6.5 billion in fusion since 2023, significantly outpacing US funding. The urgency for both nations to develop commercial fusion power is intensified by increasing energy demands from AI infrastructure. China’s recent achievement of a 1,000-second plasma containment further challenges US dominance. The nation that first commercializes fusion will likely set industry standards and control supply chains, analogous to past competitions in solar panels and electric vehicles.