Christian Briggs episode warns of tech, resource race between U.S. and China

A new episode of On the Record with Christian Briggs frames U.S.-China competition as a battle over quantum computing, AI, critical minerals and financial rails. The episode argues the rivalry could reshape encryption, supply chains and global power through the next decade.

Why it matters: - The episode argues the next phase of U.S.-China competition will be driven by advanced computing, critical minerals and digital payment infrastructure, not just military hardware. - Christian Briggs says the countries that control quantum systems, AI tools, energy, materials and manufacturing will have the strongest geopolitical advantage. - The discussion ties those shifts to risks for encryption, supply chains and dollar dominance.

What happened: - On the Record with Christian Briggs released a new episode focused on the geopolitical competition between the United States and China. - The episode was promoted from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on June 26, 2026. - The broadcast examined semiconductor fabrication, quantum labs, artificial intelligence systems and critical mineral supply chains as strategic battlegrounds. - Briggs said the race is about building a unified system that links resources, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, computing, talent and long-term strategy. - The episode included a direct warning that China is thinking in decades while much of the West is thinking in election cycles, Briggs said. - A full version of the episode is available here.

The details: - The episode said governments now treat technological development as a national security issue. - Briggs said quantum computing could break modern digital encryption standards through so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” operations. - The discussion described a quantum AI feedback loop in which AI improves quantum hardware and error correction while quantum systems accelerate future AI models. - The episode said China accounts for roughly 70% to 75% of global AI patent filings and about 60% of global quantum patents. - The broadcast pointed to China’s Tianyan quantum cloud platform and the Zuchongzhi superconducting quantum processor series as examples of real-world progress. - The episode said practical quantum systems using Shor’s Algorithm could threaten RSA encryption and expose military, financial and diplomatic communications. - The discussion also framed physical commodities as the “ammunition” for digital and virtual economies. - Briggs cited central bank gold accumulation and multi-year deficits in the global silver market as signs of structural pressure on hard assets. - The episode said AI data centers, solar energy and military hardware are adding to silver demand. - The broadcast highlighted China’s dominant role in rare earth processing supply chains. - The episode also discussed China’s Chang’e lunar program and the long-term competition for Helium-3 on the Moon. - Briggs said Helium-3 could matter for the extreme cryogenic cooling needed to scale advanced quantum processors. - Briggs said the episode also looked at Central Bank Digital Currencies, the BRICS bloc and alternative settlement networks such as mBridge. - The discussion warned that the main risk to U.S. hegemony is not a sudden dollar collapse, but a gradual loss of exclusivity as developing nations seek more trade flexibility through alternative digital rails.

Between the lines: - The episode blends technology risk with commodity strategy, suggesting that hardware, energy and minerals may matter as much as software and patents. - The China comparison is designed to show a system-level advantage built over years, not a single breakthrough. - The financial angle implies that payment infrastructure could become another front in the broader competition for influence.

What's next: - Briggs and the analysts in the episode expect the pressure points to intensify through the middle of the next decade. - The discussion points to 2035 as a key horizon for CBDCs, BRICS-linked payment tools and alternative settlement systems. - The episode calls on Western policymakers to respond with faster coordination and longer-term planning.