Mysterious quantum computing restrictions spread across multiple nations & UK cites national security risks

Several countries, including France, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada, have imposed identical restrictions on the export of quantum computers with more than 34 qubits and above a certain error threshold, citing national security concerns. These nations are part of the Wassenaar Agreement, an export control regime that regulates dual-use technologies. Despite inquiries from New Scientist, the rationale behind these specific restrictions remains undisclosed, with the UK stating that revealing the reasoning would pose a national security risk. Experts in the field, such as Christopher Monroe of IonQ, are baffled by the criteria for these restrictions, suggesting a lack of transparency and clarity.