Due to Trump's policies, the US risks losing its status as a technological leader and superpower, research Now the federally funded science system that helped make the United States a global superpower is under enormous pressure from Trump's policies, which threaten the country's advantages in defense, medicine and technology, according to a New York Times investigation. The White House regularly states that it promotes American interests. But his actions undermine U.S. scientific supremacy as global rivals challenge U.S. dominance in fields that will help define the 21st century, according to interviews with scientists, university leaders, government officials and analysts, as well as a review of documents and budgets.