Sullivan's Plan for U.S. Tech Edge Over China

TL;DR

Sullivan's Tech Strategy: Jake Sullivan argues the U.S. needs a long-term plan to secure advantages over China in innovation, production, military use, and global standards.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)
China's Battery Dominance: China produces over 70% of global lithium-ion batteries and controls about 75% of battery cell manufacturing capacity.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)
Four U.S. Pillars: Revitalize the techno-industrial base, adapt military for deterrence, build a democratic digital order, and pursue targeted U.S.-China cooperation.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

The story at a glance

Jake Sullivan, former U.S. national security adviser, outlines a comprehensive strategy for the United States to compete with China in critical technologies like semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, and clean energy. He frames the rivalry as an ongoing contest requiring U.S. leadership in production and deployment, not just innovation. The article appears now amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over tech supply chains and national security. Past U.S. policies like the CHIPS and Science Act provide initial steps toward this approach.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Key points

Technology now defines U.S.-China competition, similar to naval innovations in ancient rivalries or the Cold War space race.
China has shifted from copying to dominating foundational inputs like rare earths, pharmaceuticals, and batteries through state coordination and scale.
U.S. success means enhancing security and opportunities, not a single "win" over China; focus on computing, biotech/biomanufacturing, and clean energy.
Revitalize the techno-industrial base via R&D funding, immigration for talent, tariffs, export controls ("small yard, high fence"), and investments like the 2022 CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act.
Adapt military with AI for logistics, drones, sensors, and allied networks like AUKUS for deterrence, especially in the Taiwan Strait.
Promote U.S. standards globally through diplomacy, standards bodies, and alliances to create a democratic digital order.
Balance competition with cooperation on risks like AI and nuclear controls, as in the 2024 Biden-Xi meeting.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Details and context

Sullivan draws historical lessons: prevailing powers adapt across domains, as Athens and Sparta did with navies or the U.S. and Soviet Union in space. China's political system enables rapid mobilization, giving it edges in manufacturing that the U.S. lost to capital biases favoring software over hardware.

The U.S. must address challenges like bureaucratic delays in permitting, worker retraining for new factories, and coordinating with allies who fear economic fallout from decoupling. Examples include Operation Warp Speed as a model for fast biomanufacturing scale-up and NATO's defense innovation accelerator.

Key tech families—computing (semiconductors, AI, quantum), biotech, clean energy (batteries, motors, chips)—require simultaneous innovation, protection, and deployment. Sullivan notes that when manufacturing leaves, engineering know-how follows, eroding U.S. advantages.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Key quotes

" The point of this contest is not simply to 'beat' China." — Jake Sullivan[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

"When manufacturing leaves, engineering know-how follows." — Jake Sullivan[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

"Competition is not inconsistent with cooperation." — Jake Sullivan[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Why it matters

Control over critical technologies shapes national security, economic resilience, and global standards in an era where tech underpins power projection and daily life. For businesses and investors, it signals sustained U.S. investments in chips and clean energy alongside risks from export controls and tariffs affecting supply chains. Watch implementation of allied tech-sharing like AUKUS and any U.S.-China talks on AI risks, though outcomes remain uncertain amid political shifts.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

What changed

No prior state described.

FAQ

Q: What essential technology areas does Sullivan highlight?

A: Computing, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum; biotechnology and biomanufacturing; clean energy, such as batteries, motors, and chips. These form the foundation for U.S. strategy across innovation and production.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Q: How has China's tech approach evolved?

A: China moved from imitation to controlling foundational inputs like rare earths, pharmaceuticals, and batteries, using state coordination, subsidies, and manufacturing scale enabled by its political system.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Q: What U.S. policies does Sullivan cite as models?

A: The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act for semiconductors; Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy; Biden-era export controls on advanced chips and biotech equipment; Operation Warp Speed for rapid mobilization.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)

Q: What military adaptations does Sullivan propose?

A: Integrate AI into logistics and intelligence, deploy low-cost drones and sensors for deterrence, and build allied networks like AUKUS to counter threats in areas like the Taiwan Strait.[[1]](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tech-high-ground-jake-sullivan)