In a sharp acknowledgment of the growing influence of U.S. tech giants, the European Union is poised to concede that severing ties with American companies is “unrealistic.” This revelation comes amid escalating tensions between the EU and the U.S., fuelled by the return of Donald Trump to the presidency and his contentious stance towards Europe.

A draft of the EU’s new International Digital Strategy for Europe, seen by POLITICO magazine, indicates that while tech competitiveness is crucial for economic and security stability, complete independence from dominant players like the U.S. is unlikely. The EU plans to focus on strategic alliances with countries such as Japan, South Korea, India, and even China to bolster its position in the global tech landscape.

The strategy, expected to be unveiled in June, underscores the need for international cooperation on critical technologies like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and proposes building cybersecurity alliances to mitigate threats like ransomware.

Significantly, the strategy reflects a more cautious approach towards China, emphasising the EU’s commitment to secure and trusted 5G networks and excluding Chinese firms like Huawei. This move aligns with ongoing efforts by Brussels and Washington to regulate Chinese tech influence through diplomatic efforts. The EU’s evolving strategy marks a shift from protectionism towards a balanced collaboration in the complex global tech ecosystem.

- CyberBeat