China outspends U.S. on nuclear fusion projects

The U.S. is facing increased competition from China in the race for nuclear fusion energy. China is investing twice as much and building projects more quickly, aiming for grid-scale fusion energy, which the U.S. pioneered decades ago. Private investment in U.S. fusion startups has surged to over $8 billion, but China is outpacing the U.S. in public funding, contributing about $1.5 billion annually compared to the U.S.'s $800 million. China is also advancing in reactor size and technology. China has more fusion patents and a larger workforce in fusion science than the U.S. This shift comes as U.S. projects focus on upgrading older machines, while China rapidly develops new facilities and materials, potentially altering the global energy landscape.