I thought I recalled that the major setback was the current U.S. administration's trade policies with China. Everything was set to go, but then the plans got trumped.
You're right :-). They were both addressed in the series (part 3).
> [~27:24] Narrator: Bill and his team finally believed they had developed the ideal energy source. A reactor that was clean, efficient, and most importantly, safe.
> [cuts to conference room TV playing Fukushima news coverage] ...
> [~28:22] N: Public opinion, already skittish, turned against nuclear.
> [cuts to the two walking around outside]
> N: When you have a massive setback, how do you deal with that?
> ... [some cut to old DOJ drama] ...
> [~32:07] TV anchor: The US nuclear industry is bracing for a backlash
> [background switches to Fukushima footage]
Later:
> [~41:49] N: In 2015, President Xi came to Seattle and had a private meeting with Bill.
> Some guy: Then we see real movement.
> ...
> [~42:39] TV: A tariff tit-for-tat, teetering on a trade war ...
> [~42:50] TV: Investment restrictions on China with respect to high technology.
> [43:09] Guy working on the reactor: China and the United States had to negotiate this very complicated contract. Well, each government had a right to cancel it, and our government did. So, by canceling that contract that gives us the legal right to do nuclear things in China, we can't do it anymore.
> [43:35] [cuts to another guy] N: What was his reaction when you showed it to him?
