There are some numbers to consider in this discussion--all of these are from data on the web: 1. Only Israel ($3,400) spends more per capita on R&D than the U.

There are some numbers to consider in this discussion--all of these are from data on the web: 1. Only Israel ($3,400) spends more per capita on R&D than the U.S. ($2,800) on R&D 2. The U.S. spent around $900 billion on R&D, with China estimated at $800 billion and the EU at $381 billion. 3. The per capita spending for other major economies: - EU $850 per person - China around $700 per person (estimated) - South Korea $2,800 per person - Japan $1600 per person (all roughly PPP adjusted) Please check my estimates. The point is that the U.S. spends a lot on R&D, so a haircut may not be bad for the health of U.S. R&D programs (new priorities) let alone the temporary reduction in expenses. The R&D output is still going to be enormous relative to the rest of the world and probably on par with China.