Why the USA, EU, and China Must Unite on Quantum Transparency and Peaceful Development

In the 20th century, nuclear weapons reshaped global security, forcing nations to establish arms control agreements to prevent catastrophe. In the 21st century, quantum computing has emerged as a similarly transformative force—one that could upend digital security, national defense, and economic stability. Yet, unlike nuclear technology, there is no global framework to ensure transparency, prevent military misuse, and guide its peaceful development.

The United States, the European Union, and China—three of the world’s leading quantum powerhouses—must act now. Will they allow secrecy and mistrust to escalate into a dangerous quantum arms race? Or will they establish a Quantum Verification Framework (QVF) to ensure responsible, peaceful development, prevent military destabilization, and foster global security?

The Quantum Threat: Why We Need Verification Now

Quantum computing is not just another technological breakthrough—it has the potential to reshape the balance of power, making existing digital security systems obsolete and enabling new forms of cyber and military conflict. Here’s why immediate action is needed:

• Encryption Breakdown: Today’s cryptographic systems, which protect financial transactions, government communications, and military operations, could be rendered obsolete by quantum computers.
• Cyber Warfare Risks: Nations secretly developing quantum cyber capabilities could launch undetectable cyberattacks, crippling economies and national security.
• Global Instability: Without a verification framework, mistrust between nations will escalate, leading to an uncontrolled quantum arms race.

We have learned from history that when powerful nations fail to establish verification and cooperation mechanisms, secrecy breeds competition, and unchecked technological escalation leads to conflict.

What Is the Quantum Verification Framework (QVF)?

The Quantum Verification Framework (QVF) is our proposed agreement between the USA, EU, and China to ensure transparency, prevent military applications of quantum technology, and promote peaceful, responsible development. It would establish mechanisms to:

1. Ban the Military Use of Quantum Computing

• The Parties agree not to develop, deploy, or use quantum computing for offensive military applications, including encryption-breaking, quantum-assisted cyber warfare, or battlefield AI.
• Each nation will declare and declassify any existing military-related quantum projects that pose a risk to global security.
• Any violations of this prohibition will be subject to international sanctions and diplomatic consequences.

2. Verify Quantum Capabilities for Transparency

• Independent international bodies will conduct regular assessments of quantum computing advancements to ensure compliance with peaceful research commitments.
• A Quantum Technology Registry will be created to track progress in quantum computing and cryptography without compromising proprietary or state-sensitive information.
• A “No First Use” Quantum Pledge will prohibit nations from using quantum computing for cyberattacks or destabilizing actions against other countries.

3. Prevent a Quantum Cyber Arms Race

• No Party shall use quantum computers to break another nation’s encryption systems for espionage, cyber warfare, or intelligence dominance.
• Shared post-quantum encryption protocols will be developed to ensure that all nations transition safely to quantum-resistant cybersecurity.
• Governments will collaborate on quantum-safe digital infrastructure, ensuring equal protection for global financial, healthcare, and security systems.

4. Restrict Quantum Proliferation

• The export of military-grade quantum computing technologies will be restricted to prevent the spread of quantum-based cyber and defense capabilities.
• Quantum computing advancements will not be provided to rogue states, terrorist groups, or any entities that pose a threat to global security.
• A Quantum Non-Proliferation Treaty will be established, ensuring that quantum research is used for peaceful applications only.

5. Promote Transparency in Quantum Research

• While military and intelligence uses of quantum technology will be prohibited, non-sensitive quantum research will be shared to accelerate scientific progress.
• A Global Quantum Research Summit will bring together scientists from all nations to collaborate on breakthroughs in medicine, climate science, and clean energy.
• Ethical guidelines will ensure that quantum technology is never used for mass surveillance, suppression of political freedoms, or human rights violations.

Why the USA, EU, and China Must Lead the Way

A Quantum Verification Framework benefits all participating nations and prevents catastrophic misuse of quantum computing. Here’s why the USA, EU, and China must take the lead:

• The USA: As a global leader in cybersecurity and technology, the U.S. has the most to lose if quantum cyber threats go unchecked. A QVF ensures digital security and fair technological competition.
• The EU: Committed to ethical technology governance, the EU can champion responsible quantum development while preventing monopolization by any single power.
• China: As a rapidly advancing quantum power, China has a strategic interest in stability and ensuring quantum progress does not lead to a global conflict.

What Happens If We Do Nothing?

The absence of a Quantum Verification Framework could lead to:

Massive Cybersecurity Failures – Banks, hospitals, and government institutions could be left vulnerable to quantum-enabled cyberattacks.
Unrestrained Military Escalation – Without transparency, nations will assume the worst about each other’s quantum military projects, leading to dangerous strategic decisions.
Global Inequality in Quantum Access – A technological divide will grow between quantum-rich and quantum-poor nations, exacerbating economic disparities.
Loss of Public Trust in Digital Security – If quantum technology is used for cyberattacks and mass surveillance, global confidence in digital infrastructure will collapse.

Conclusion: The Time to Act Is Now

We stand at the brink of a quantum revolution. The world must decide whether this revolution will be guided by peace, cooperation, and security—or secrecy, competition, and conflict.

A Quantum Verification Framework would prevent military misuse, promote transparency, and ensure that quantum computing is developed solely for peaceful and ethical purposes. The USA, EU, and China must act not as competitors in a quantum arms race, but as global leaders shaping a secure and responsible future.

We successfully prevented nuclear war through arms control agreements—we can do the same for quantum computing.

The time for global quantum agreements is not tomorrow—it is today.

Will world leaders seize this moment? The future of peace and security depends on it.

A Future Department of Technology: Leading the Charge on Quantum Verification

To address the urgent challenges posed by quantum computing, we need leadership that bridges technological advancement with global diplomacy. A Department of Technology, as advocated for at Department of Technology, could be the key to jumpstarting and shaping the critical conversation on quantum verification.

Such a department would serve as a central hub for coordinating national and international efforts on quantum governance, ensuring that rapid scientific progress does not outpace security measures, ethical guidelines, or global stability. By bringing together policymakers, scientists, and cybersecurity experts, a dedicated Department of Technology could:

Drive international agreements on quantum verification, encryption, and non-proliferation.
Facilitate diplomacy between quantum superpowers like the USA, EU, and China to prevent a destabilizing arms race.
Ensure ethical research and security protocols are in place before quantum capabilities become weaponized.
Accelerate the development of post-quantum cryptography, protecting global financial and defense systems.

Quantum computing is advancing faster than the policies needed to regulate it. Without a coordinated effort, we risk cyber chaos, unchecked military applications, and global mistrust. A Department of Technology would provide the necessary leadership to guide quantum computing toward a future of security, cooperation, and responsible innovation.

The time to act is now—before quantum capabilities become unmanageable. A Department of Technology can be the catalyst for global quantum security, ensuring that this revolutionary technology serves all of humanity rather than becoming a tool for conflict.