A diverse coalition from Europe’s technology sector is urging European Union lawmakers to take substantial measures to reduce dependence on foreign digital infrastructure and services. This initiative aims to strengthen the region’s economic resilience and security amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
Open Letter Overview
In an open letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU’s digital chief Henna Virkkunen, over 80 signatories, representing approximately 100 organizations, called for a reevaluation of current policies. The coalition advocates for the promotion of local alternatives across various sectors, including applications, platforms, artificial intelligence models, and critical digital infrastructure such as chips and connectivity.
The letter emphasizes the need for a strategic shift towards supporting “sovereign digital infrastructure” and reducing reliance on overseas corporations, particularly U.S. tech giants. Companies from various sectors, including cloud services, telecom, and defense, are backing this push, which reflects growing concerns surrounding the region’s dependence on outside technology.
Risks of Foreign Dependency
Recent tensions were highlighted by remarks from U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized the EU’s digital strategies and underscored the precarious nature of Europe’s reliance on American-owned technological resources. With executive orders capable of hindering service provision from U.S. firms, the urgency to secure a more autonomous digital landscape is underscored.
Wolfgang Oels, COO of the Berlin-based search engine Ecosia, articulated the potential risks of complete dependency: “Imagine Europe without internet search, email, or office software. It would mean the complete breakdown of our society,” referring to similar disruptions faced by Ukraine amid geopolitical conflicts.
Advocating for a Euro Stack
The coalition is advocating for the establishment of a “Euro Stack,” a concept designed to facilitate the growth of European digital infrastructure through homegrown solutions. A detailed proposal was outlined in a Euro Stack paper authored by competition economist Cristina Caffarra and others, emphasizing the necessity for local investment and development.
Proposed Actions for EU Lawmakers
Among the recommendations made by the coalition is the introduction of public procurement policies that favor European suppliers, termed as a “Buy European” mandate. This approach is seen as a means to stimulate local demand and investment, with the potential to create a virtuous cycle of innovation and economic growth.
Additionally, the letter proposes a pooled and federated approach to technological development, calling for common standards that would enhance the competitiveness of European providers against U.S. hyperscalers. This strategy aims to facilitate collaboration within the industry and ensure that Europe can meet its basic infrastructural needs effectively.
Financial Support and Infrastructure Development
The coalition also urges the establishment of a “Sovereign Infrastructure Fund” to finance essential public investments in European technologies, particularly in capital-intensive areas like chip manufacturing and quantum computing. Caffarra pointed out that targeted investments could significantly bolster the open-source community and technology landscape in Europe.
Furthermore, the letter suggests that EU funding should be aligned with projects that have viable market prospects, ensuring that resources are allocated to initiatives capable of driving meaningful growth and innovation.
Challenges and the Need for Change
Despite ongoing discussions about digital sovereignty, the coalition’s letter expresses skepticism towards current EU efforts, arguing that funding is often misallocated towards academic research instead of practical applications. The call for an industry-led strategy reflects a desire for more impactful actions that can foster real change.
To facilitate these efforts, the coalition insists on an urgent need for collaboration between EU lawmakers and industry leaders to develop a cohesive strategy for enhancing Europe’s digital sovereignty.
Support from Various Stakeholders
The letter gathered support from a wide range of companies, including major players in cloud computing, open source, and industrial sectors. Signatories also include notable associations like the Open Source Business Alliance and the European Startup Network, uniting efforts to push for a redefined tech landscape in Europe.
Industry leaders emphasize the necessity of creating a conducive environment for European startups and established firms alike, enabling them to compete effectively against foreign counterparts and reduce the reliance on non-European services.
Overall, the coalition’s call for radical action highlights a critical moment in European tech, advocating for strategic shifts that could bolster the region’s self-sufficiency in digital infrastructure and innovation.