Europe seeks to minimize reliance on US tech giants

Amid rising tensions and unpredictability in transatlantic relations following President Donald Trump’s return to power, European leaders are intensifying efforts to reduce their dependence on US technology. American firms like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Google currently dominate Europe’s technology landscape, particularly in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Concerns have grown that strategic and economic risks—such as potential weaponization of US digital dominance or export restrictions—could threaten European interests. The European Union has responded by unveiling strategies to bolster domestic capabilities, favoring European firms in public contracts and prioritizing critical sectors including AI, quantum technologies, and semiconductors. Policymakers and industry insiders emphasize that building tech sovereignty will require significant investment, but see opportunities for Europe to compete, especially in the AI sector. These moves come as Europe also considers retaliatory tariffs and new regulations to counterbalance US tech power.