In The Nuclear Energy Race, China Is Leaving America In The Dust
Last week, China announced the opening of 12 nuclear research facilities to international scientists, reflecting its aggressive push in nuclear energy development, a critical area for energy security and global power dynamics. The U.S. has been lagging in nuclear technology, while China has made significant advancements, including building the world’s first fourth-generation nuclear reactor and leading in the deployment of small modular reactors and nuclear fusion development. Analysts estimate that China holds a 10- to 15-year lead over the U.S. in nuclear technology, posing potential geopolitical risks if the U.S. does not take action to reclaim its standing. As global energy demands rise, China’s leadership in nuclear energy could shift the global balance of power and threaten U.S. economic influence. Additionally, relying on Chinese technology raises national security concerns. The article suggests that the U.S. must develop a comprehensive national strategy for nuclear energy to regain its competitive edge.
Last week, China announced the opening of 12 nuclear research facilities to scientists around the globe. Hiding under the cloak of cooperation, however, is a more concerning trend: China is charging ahead in the race for nuclear energy, and without decisive action from the U.S., particularly from Republican leaders, America risks falling behind.
It is no secret that America is losing its edge in the race for nuclear energy. While the United States has been lagging in nuclear development, China has surged ahead. Nuclear power isn’t just another energy source; it’s critical to long-term energy security, and it’s becoming a focal point of global power dynamics.
China’s success is no accident. Nuclear energy is an incredibly powerful and nonpolluting technology, capable of sustained power generation that is efficient and reliable, and the CCP declared it a national priority to develop nuclear technology.
This pursuit has proven fruitful for China. Currently, its academic output on nuclear technology ranks first in the world. Not only has it built the world’s first high-tech fourth-generation nuclear reactor but China also leads in the deployment of newer, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), and it is greatly outspending and outpacing the U.S. in the development of nuclear fusion technology.
All of these impressive feats have resulted in what analysts estimate is a 10- to 15-year lead over the U.S. in the deployment of nuclear technology. Indeed, MIT professor of nuclear engineering Jacopo Buongiorno said, “China is the de facto world leader in nuclear technology.”
If the U.S. allows China to fulfill its intention to become the global leader in the export of nuclear technology, the geopolitical consequences could be severe. As global energy demand is outpacing renewable energy production, the nuclear market will be a critical battlefield in the economic war between the U.S. and China. China’s nuclear leadership could help to shift the global balance of power by diminishing American economic influence, a persistent priority of the CCP.
Equally important, relying on China for advanced nuclear technology would pose tremendous national security concerns. Control over critical energy infrastructure by a strategic competitor is an unacceptable risk, and one need only look at the recent pager attack on Hezbollah to recognize the dangers of importing technology from a foreign adversary.
Fortunately, the U.S. can retake the lead on nuclear energy. China’s success in this space is not due to peerless scientific innovation but rather its sound national strategy. We know America can innovate, particularly in technology. Now we must devote our attention to developing a comprehensive national strategy for our nuclear industry.
In the 2024 GOP platform announcement, Republicans declared their intention to work to make America “the dominant energy producer in the world.” China’s total energy production is around 40 percent higher than the U.S., despite the U.S. being the largest producer of natural gas and oil. Clearly, in order to ensure American energy dominance and fulfill this platform objective, we will need to dominate nuclear energy.
To do this, America must first cease sharing any and all nuclear technology with our competitors — especially China, our greatest global rival. China’s aggressive pursuit of nuclear dominance is only one facet of its plan to disrupt American primacy. The stakes are too high to allow any transfer of technology to a country actively working to undermine our interests.
Most importantly, Republicans must focus on developing and championing a national nuclear strategy to rival China’s. It needs to feature a significant investment in nuclear research and development, streamline the regulatory processes that have played a significant role in holding back American nuclear energy, and encourage increased collaboration between the government and our world-beating private sector. While each of these individual factors is essential for catching up to China, the most important element is to address all of these issues through one comprehensive plan.
China’s steady climb to the peak of nuclear energy technology underscores the need for a decisive American response. If Republicans can develop a plan to bolster investment in nuclear research, cut red tape to accelerate innovation, and foster stronger public-private partnerships, they can make good on their promise and secure a brighter future for American energy.
Philip Reichert is the southern regional director for the American Conservation Coalition. He is a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst, contractor for the U.S. Space Force, and producer at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @PhilipReichert.
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