Multiple nations enact mysterious export controls on quantum computers | New Scientist
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Although quantum computers theoretically have the potential to threaten national security by breaking encryption techniques, even the most advanced quantum computers currently in public existence are too small and too error-prone to achieve this, rendering the bans seemingly pointless.
Notice the article says, “even the most advanced quantum computers currently in public existence are too small and too error-prone to achieve this” (emphasis added).
I suspect national security actually is the reason: every power wants to develop the biggest, best quantum computer because of what they may be able to do. Governments are also probably afraid the computer could fall into whatever they consider the wrong private hands.
I find this part amusing:
Secret international discussions have resulted in governments across the world imposing identical export controls
Gosh, sounds like a “conspiracy theory” to me. 
Oh, wait, I guess if New Scientist says it, it’s okay to say . . .
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Even though they aren’t currently capable of doing much ‘work’, quantum computers do have much potential. Technical breakthroughs often have multiple parts and different researcher/developers will take alternative technical approaches. Each company’s technical thrust may have taken years and obviously many millions of dollars to achieve. Selling X, Y, or Z current variant of quantum computer could give adversaries building blocks to quickly advance their own designs without having to invest the years and dollars represented by the exported product. It makes perfect sense to limit exports.
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