Chuck Hagel, the former American defense secretary, and other former US national security officials, including two high -level personalities Donald Trump The first term on Tuesday warned that China Overcoming the United States in critical technological fields and has urged Congress to increase funding for federal scientific research.
The call occurs a week after the National Science Foundation (NSF), which finances research in science, dismissed 170 people in response to the order of Donald Trump to reduce the federal workforce. An NSF spokesperson refused to comment on reports that hundreds of additional layoffs were possible and that the agency’s budget could be reduced by billions.
The ex-officials want the congress to provide at least $ 16 billion authorized for the NSF during the 2025 financial year, according to a letter seen by Reuters addressed to Trump, John Thune, the head of the majority of the Senate, and Mike Johnson, president of the American House of the United States of representatives.
“China makes important strategic investments in fundamental and applied research and the country’s positioning to surpass us in critical fields that could determine the outcome of future conflicts,” said the letter. “This is a race that we cannot afford to lose.”
Former officials have opposed support to the Directorate of Technology, Innovation and NSF Partnerships (TIP) created in 2022, which they consider crucial to transform research into vital practical applications for US military capacities and economic strength.
Twenty -one person, or more than 20% of TIP staff, were dismissed last week, according to a source that spoke under the guise of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Almost 20% more are vulnerable temporary federal employees, said another source, which was not allowed to speak publicly.
China has led the world in only three of the 64 critical technologies between 2003 and 2007, according to the letter, quoting the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. In 2023, he led in 57 of these technologies.
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The former officials who also signed the letter with Hagel included Chris Miller, acting defense secretary during Trump’s first term, and Doug Fears, former Trump’s domestic advisor.