NATIONAL STRATEGY

for
CRITICAL AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES
OCTOBER 2 0 2 0
 WORLD LEADER OF TECHNOLOGY LEADER

CRITICAL AND TECHNOLOGY PEER

EMERGING
TECHNOLOGY RISK
TECHNOLOGIES MANAGEMENT

PILLAR I PILLAR II
PROMOTE PROTECT
THE NATIONAL SECURITY TECHNOLOGY
INNOVATION BASE ADVANTAGE
• Develop the highest-quality science and • Ensure that competitors do not use illicit means to
technology (S&T) workforce in the world acquire United States intellectual property,
• Attract and retain inventors and innovators research, development, or technologies
• Leverage private capital and expertise to build and • Require security design early in the technology
innovate development stages, and work with allies and
• Rapidly field inventions and innovations partners to take similar action
• Reduce burdensome regulations, policies, and • Protect the integrity of the R&D enterprise by
bureaucratic processes that inhibit innovation and fostering research security in academic
industry growth institutions, laboratories, and industry, while
• Lead the development of worldwide technology balancing the valuable contributions of foreign
norms, standards, and governance models that researchers
reflect democratic values and interests • Ensure appropriate aspects of C&ET are
• Support the development of a robust National adequately controlled under export laws and
Security Innovation Base (NSIB), to include regulations, as well as multilateral export regimes
academic institutions, laboratories, supporting • Engage allies and partners to develop their own
infrastructure, venture funding, supporting processes similar to those executed by CFIUS
businesses, and industry • Engage with the private sector to benefit from its
• Increase priority of research and development understanding of C&ET as well as future strategic
(R&D) in developing United States Government vulnerabilities related to C&ET
budgets • Assess worldwide S&T policies, capabilities, and
• Develop and adopt advanced technology trends, and how they are likely to influence, or
applications within government and improve the undermine, American strategies and programs
desirability of the government as a customer of the • Ensure secure supply chains, and encourage allies
private sector and partners to do the same
• Encourage public-private partnerships • Message to key stakeholders the importance of
• Build strong and lasting technology partnerships protecting technology advantage and offer
with like-minded allies and partners and promote practical assistance whenever possible
democratic values and principles
• With the private sector, create positive messaging
to increase public acceptance of critical and
emerging technologies (C&ET)
• Encourage state and local governments to adopt
similar actions
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1
Unified with a National Strategy ............................................................................... 2

WORLD LEADER OF CRITICAL AND EMERGING

TECHNOLOGIES ............................................................................ 3
Technology Leader .................................................................................................. 3
Technology Peer ...................................................................................................... 3
Technology Risk Management.................................................................................. 4

PILLARS OF SUCCESS .................................................................... 5

PILLAR I:PROMOTE THE NATIONAL SECURITY INNOVATION

BASE ........................................................................................... 7
Priority Actions........................................................................................................ 7

PILLAR II: PROTECT TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE .............................. 9

Priority Actions........................................................................................................ 9

CONCLUSION .............................................................................. 11

ANNEX: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CRITICAL AND EMERGING

TECHNOLOGIES LIST ................................................................. A-1

I
 INTRODUCTION
Throughout our history, American achievements and leadership in science and
technology (S&T) have been a driving factor for our way of life, prosperity, and
security. However, American leadership in S&T faces growing challenges from
strategic competitors, who recognize the benefits of S&T and are organizing
massive human and capital resources on a national scale to take the lead in areas
with long-term consequences.

T
he National Security Strategy (NSS) lays pursuit to become the global leader in S&T. It
out a vision for promoting American is also targeting sources of United States and
prosperity; protecting the American allied strength by employing means that include
people, the homeland, and the American way stealing technology, coercing companies to
of life; preserving peace through strength; and disclose intellectual property, undercutting free
advancing American influence in an era of and fair markets, failing to provide reciprocal
great power competition. It calls for the access in research and development (R&D)
United States to lead in research, technology, projects, and promoting authoritarian practices
invention, and innovation, referred to here that run counter to democratic values. The
generally as science and technology (S&T), by Chinese government, in its quest to develop a
prioritizing emerging technologies critical to world-class military by mid-century, is
economic growth and security. The NSS also implementing a strategy to divert emerging
calls for the United States to promote and technologies to military programs, referred to as
protect the United States National Security military-civil fusion (MCF).
Innovation Base (NSIB), which it defines as the
American network of knowledge, capabilities, Russia views the development of advanced S&T
and people – including academia, National as a national security priority, and is targeting
Laboratories, and the private sector – that turns United States technology through the
ideas into innovations, transforms discoveries employment of a variety of licit and illicit
into successful commercial products and technology transfer mechanisms to support
companies, and protects and enhances the national-level efforts, including its military and
American way of life. intelligence programs. These actions include
using illicit procurement networks, seeking
Our market-oriented approach will allow us to technology transfer through joint ventures with
prevail against state-directed models that Western companies, and requiring access to
produce waste and disincentivize innovation, source code from technology companies
but we will also protect ourselves from unfair seeking to sell their products in Russia. With
competition and prevent the use of our fewer resources at its disposal compared to the
technology for authoritarian activities. PRC, Russia is focusing its government-led
S&T efforts on military and dual-use
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is not technologies, such as artificial intelligence, that
only dedicating large amounts of resources in its

1
 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

it believes will bring both military and economic private sector to consider and address the
advantages. Despite its focus on developing national security implications of C&ET.
military versus civil applications, Russia American C&ET leadership is no longer driven
recognizes the importance of industrial R&D. mainly by United States Government funding,
Russia plans to develop needed innovative and C&ET advances are increasingly taking
technologies for its future military requirements place outside the United States. Private sector
by enabling its defense industrial base through spending on R&D has eclipsed United States
civil-military integration. Government funding since 1980. However, the
United States Government can create the
In accordance with the NSS, we will maintain necessary conditions for worldwide C&ET
worldwide leadership in critical and emerging leadership. Strategic competitors, such as the
technologies (C&ET) by promoting our NSIB PRC and Russia, have adopted deliberate
and protecting our technological advantage. whole-of-government C&ET efforts and are
For the purposes of this strategy, C&ET are making large and strategic investments to take
defined as those technologies that have been the lead. As a result, America’s lead in certain
identified and assessed by the National Security C&ET sectors is declining. The United States
Council (NSC) to be critical, or to potentially will take meaningful action to reverse this trend.
become critical, to the United States’ national
security advantage, including military, The United States will proactively lead in
intelligence, and economic advantages. The C&ET by leveraging its NSIB, and superior
current list of C&ET is included in Annex A. economic system. Proactive choices will enable
the United States to seize opportunities to shape
The United States, with its allies and partners and optimally benefit from the technological
who share common open, democratic, and landscape, stay ahead of strategic competitors,
market-oriented values, will continue to lead and advance democratic values.
the world in C&ET. Since C&ET cover a broad
range of areas, the United States will maintain The National Strategy for C&ET encourages
clear leadership in the highest priority C&ET unity of effort across the United States
areas and invite its allies and partners to join in Government and provides a framework from
those efforts. In high-priority C&ET areas, the which deliberate actions will affect multiple
United States will be a contributing peer with its technology areas in a coordinated manner. It is
allies and partners. Finally, in the remaining not feasible for the United States to lead in all
emerging technology areas, the United States aspects of every technology area, and there is no
will appropriately manage any risks to national single technology that will ensure worldwide
security. C&ET leadership. In fact, many technology
breakthroughs occur at the intersection of two
or more disparate technologies. Therefore, a
Unified with a National holistic approach is required to address the
growing convergence of technologies for
Strategy various applications.
The United States Government is unified
behind this common National Strategy for
C&ET, and will effectively encourage the

2
 WORLD LEADER OF CRITICAL AND
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
“America has long led the world
in innovation and technological advancement.
American ingenuity has launched industries, created jobs,
and improved quality of life at home and abroad.”

P R E S I D E N T D O N A L D J. T R U M P | M A R C H 2 0 1 7

T Technology Leader
his strategy outlines the ways and means
by which the United States, with its allies
and partners, will continue to be the The United States will lead in the highest-
world leader in C&ET. To accomplish this priority technology areas to ensure its national
enduring state, the United States will lead in the security and economic prosperity. Technology
highest-priority C&ET areas, be a contributing leadership will require forecasting,
peer with allies and partners in high-priority prioritization due to limited resources,
areas, and manage risk in the remaining areas. coordination with allies and partners,
appropriate investments early in the
As the world leader in C&ET, the United States
development cycle, and periodic re-evaluation
contributes to and benefits from the technology
as technologies mature.
ecosystems of its allies and partners,
maintaining United States advantage and
upholding a secure, free, and open international
order based on democratic values. This Technology Peer
coalition will have access to needed C&ET,
As leadership is achieved or maintained in the
regardless of where it resides, and will enjoy highest-priority technology areas, the United
increased market share, accrue economic
States will remain a technology peer with its
benefits, and avoid technological surprise. allies and partners in other high-priority
Cooperation with allies and partners will not
technology areas. The United States will work
only promote a shared technological advantage, with its allies and partners to advance C&ET
it will also prevent strategic competitors from based on a foundation of mutual benefit,
obtaining unfair advantages.
teamwork, security, and proportional
investment. The United States can share its
talents and capabilities with allies and partners,
and mutually benefit from access to the full

3
 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

breadth of C&ET available within the trusted United States national security. In those cases,
community. a risk management approach will be applied to
gauge national security implications, inform
investments, and monitor development. In
Technology Risk managing risk, the United States Government
will first identify, evaluate, and prioritize its
Management technology risks, followed by a coordinated
response to avoid, reduce, accept, or transfer
Some emerging technologies are globally
risk.
diffuse or are too early in the R&D phase to
have clearly identified implications for

4
 PILLARS OF SUCCESS

T
he United States, with its allies and worldwide C&ET leadership. For maximum
partners, will continue to be the world benefits, opportunities to promote and protect
leader in C&ET by implementing two will be considered in every effort. For example,
necessary pillars of success: promoting the protecting intellectual property encourages
NSIB, and protecting our technology innovation investment, demonstrating how
advantage. protecting technology advantage can indirectly
promote technology development.
These activities are interrelated and together
form the essential actions required to maintain

5
 PILLAR I

PROMOTE THE NATIONAL SECURITY

INNOVATION BASE
“American thinkers, inventors, and entrepreneurs, empowered by free market
capitalism and driven by bold ideas, have created an ecosystem of innovation
that is the envy of the world, making our Nation prosperous and strong.”

P R E S I D E N T D O N A L D J. T R U M P | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9

P
romoting the NSIB requires a sustained, Reduce burdensome regulations, policies,
long-term investment in all aspects of the and bureaucratic processes that inhibit
NSIB, from science, technology, innovation and industry growth.
engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
education; an advanced technical workforce; Lead the development of worldwide
and early-stage R&D to innovation-friendly technology norms, standards, and
regulations; venture capital; collaboration governance models that reflect democratic
between government, academia, and the private values and interests.
sector; and working with allies and partners. Support the development of a robust NSIB, to
include academic institutions, laboratories,
supporting infrastructure, venture funding,
Priority Actions supporting businesses, and industry.

The following actions will be considered or Increase priority of R&D in developing

undertaken to promote C&ET development, United States Government budgets.
and are not listed in any particular order:
Develop and adopt advanced technology
Develop the highest-quality S&T workforce applications within government, and improve
in the world. the desirability of the government as a
customer of the private sector.
Attract and retain inventors and innovators.
Encourage public-private partnerships.
Leverage private capital and expertise to build
and innovate. Build strong and lasting technology
partnerships with like-minded allies and
Rapidly field inventions and innovations. partners, and promote democratic values and
principles.

7
 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

With the private sector, create positive Encourage state and local governments to
messaging to increase public acceptance of adopt similar actions.
C&ET.

8
 PILLAR II

PROTECT TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE

“The theft of American prosperity will end.
We’re going to defend our industry and create
a level playing field for the American worker.”

P R E S I D E N T D O N A L D J. T R U M P | M A R C H 2 0 1 7

A Priority Actions
second way to maintain and improve
American leadership in C&ET is to
protect our technology advantage both The following actions will be considered or
domestically and in conjunction with like- undertaken to protect C&ET technology
minded allies and partners. advantage, and are not listed in any particular
order:
The United States does not tolerate intellectual
property theft, the exploitation of open scientific Ensure that competitors do not use illicit
norms, or economic aggression regarding means to acquire United States intellectual
C&ET. Relationships will be rooted in fairness, property, research, development, or
reciprocity, and faithful adherence to technologies.
agreements. Protecting the United States
technology advantage includes strengthening Require security design early in the
rules where gaps exist, enforcing agreements, technology development stages, and work
and working with like-minded allies and with allies and partners to take similar action.
partners to ensure our common principles
Protect the integrity of the R&D enterprise by
prevail.
fostering research security in academic
Another part of protecting the United States institutions, laboratories, and industry, while
technology advantage is defending our NSIB, balancing the valuable contributions of
which requires domestic and international foreign researchers.
collaboration between companies, industries,
Ensure appropriate aspects of C&ET are
universities, and government agencies. The
adequately controlled under export laws and
United States will also stand with allies and
regulations, as well as multilateral export
partners to oppose attacks on their respective
regimes.
NSIBs.
Engage allies and partners to develop their
own processes similar to those executed by
the Committee on Foreign Investment in the
United States (CFIUS).

9
 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Engage with the private sector to benefit from Ensure secure supply chains, and encourage
its understanding of C&ET as well as future allies and partners to do the same.
strategic vulnerabilities related to C&ET.
Message to key stakeholders the importance
Assess worldwide S&T policies, capabilities, of protecting technology advantage, and offer
and trends, and how they are likely to practical assistance whenever possible.
influence, or undermine, American strategies
and programs.

10
 CONCLUSION

T
he National Strategy for C&ET, in as a peer with allies and partners in high-priority
accordance with the NSS, unifies the C&ET areas, and manage technology risk in
United States Government effort to other C&ET areas. Worldwide C&ET
maintain worldwide C&ET leadership with our leadership will be maintained by promoting our
allies and partners. The United States will lead NSIB and protecting our technology advantage.
in the highest-priority C&ET areas, contribute
aaaaaaa

11
 NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CRITICAL AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

ANNEX
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
CRITICAL AND EMERGING
TECHNOLOGIES LIST
The Critical and Emerging Technologies (C&ET) list reflects the 20 technology areas that
United States Government Departments and Agencies identified to the National Security Council
staff as priorities for their missions. The list will be reviewed and updated annually via the
interagency process coordinated by the National Security Council staff. The technology areas are
arranged alphabetically.

Advanced Computing

Advanced Conventional Weapons

Technologies

Advanced Engineering Materials

Communication and Networking
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies

Advanced Sensing Data Science and Storage

Aero-Engine Technologies Distributed Ledger Technologies

Agricultural Technologies Energy Technologies

Artificial Intelligence Human-Machine Interfaces

Autonomous Systems Medical and Public Health Technologies

Biotechnologies Quantum Information Science

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Semiconductors and Microelectronics

Nuclear (CBRN) Mitigation Technologies
Space Technologies

A-1