Joint research calls, supply chain monopolies and standards setting. All these topics and more were on the agenda at a meeting in Washington DC. China was shut out, opening a geopolitical fault line in a critical technology of the future

The country has announced further alternatives for its researchers, and wants to bolster its quantum and space sectors

A year after announcing its ambition to ensure secure internet connections from space, the European Commission says it will provide industry with €2.4B to spur development of Europe’s own ultra-secure quantum-encrypted broadband system to do this

New government aims to make the country a leader in quantum computing, following inauguration at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre of the world’s most powerful quantum machine, developed by Canada’s D-Wave Systems

With the promise of academic exchanges, industry tie-ups and regular dialogue, the agreement comes after months of uncertainty over the UK’s quantum cooperation with the EU

Following objections from member states, the Commission has shifted position and after receiving assurances, now appears open to UK involvement in these strategic fields, while Israel will be allowed to take part in quantum research

Global dividing lines are taking shape over quantum science, with questions over when and how to collaborate, and at what stage of development.

Details of the terms on which Israel, UK and Switzerland can join quantum and space projects are now public. But it’s not a done deal for the Commission which says negotiations are ‘ongoing’

After months of fighting, member states agree UK, Israeli or other non-EU researchers can join Horizon’s most sensitive projects – on condition they provide ‘necessary assurances’ that their participation won’t harm the EU’s strategic interests

Officials say Commission is divided on loaded question of excluding close EU partners UK and Israel from quantum and space research - and voice concerns at how the row is delaying rollout of Horizon Europe