Not sure if the brightest minds end up at Huawei, because while the pay might be good, bright people might know that they need to expect different standards. So

Not sure if the brightest minds end up at Huawei, because while the pay might be good, bright people might know that they need to expect different standards. Some do it for the money for a few years of course. Often when we talk about tech, we talk about pop-tech. Aside from social media, chip giants like Intel or TSMC are the topic. The machines they use are build in the Netherlands by a company very few people know by name. Sure, the chip design is perhaps the essence, but I believe that US companies are just good at marketing, Chinas companies are good at scale. Europe has many world market leader in the middle class. It is a misconception that you end up with a business titan in such a position. It doesn't generate press, but I believe this is a far better foundation for an economy compared to having some superstars. Although the US has certainly a lot of really good high tech. For example Texas Instruments has incredible tech just in their drawers, but they generate comparatively few headlines.