Thiel Talks (FULL RECORDING) Peter Thiel on US-China Relations at the Nixon Foundation April 6th, 2021
Apr 17, 2021
Peter Thiel, PayPal co-founder and Facebook board member, joins forces with Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State, and Robert O'Brien, former National Security Advisor, to tackle the intricate dynamics of U.S.-China relations. They discuss China's push for digital currency and its implications for global finance. The conversation dives into the risks of tech collaboration with China, intellectual property theft, and defense procurement strategies. They also touch on the need for the U.S. to maintain its technological edge amid rising authoritarianism.
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Why Parity Means Losing
- Thiel argues the West remains more innovative than China but China copies effectively and narrows the gap.
- If China reaches parity, its larger population could translate into far greater GDP and military power.
Google's Project Maven Dilemma
- Thiel recounts Google working with Chinese researchers while refusing the U.S. military on Project Maven.
- Insiders said Google preferred giving technology through the front door because it would be stolen otherwise.
Make Procurement Pathways For Startups
- Reform procurement to fund small innovators and create scaling pathways from pilot to deployment.
- Avoid letting DARPA-style inventions sit unused in Pentagon closets by integrating pilots into acquisition plans.
