Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker is sounding the alarm that President Trump’s cuts to research funding could leave America lagging behind global rivals like China in the race for tech dominance. As chair of Harvard’s governing board, she’s warning that slashing investments now risks long-term competitiveness.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic squabbling—it’s about whether the U.S. stays ahead in innovation or cedes ground to China. Tech leadership fuels everything from economic growth to national security, and Pritzker’s warning highlights how budget decisions today could shape who calls the shots tomorrow.