The Briefing RoomJune 18, 2026via Financial Times Technology
Trump is taking a page out of China’s sovereign AI playbook
Why it matters
The Trump administration is adopting China's sovereign AI model—direct government equity stakes in strategic AI companies—signaling a major shift in how Western democracies will compete for AI dominance and control.
Key signals
- Trump administration adopting sovereign AI playbook similar to China's model
- Shift from regulation to government shareholding in strategic AI companies
- Represents new precedent: governments moving beyond protection into direct ownership stakes
- Reflects broader geopolitical AI competition between US and China
- Published June 2026 — positions this as emerging policy trend
The hook
Governments aren't just regulating AI anymore. They're becoming shareholders.
Governments have long protected strategic industries — what is new is their willingness to become shareholders