Project Syndicate - Europe’s Tech Sovereignty Demands More Than Competitiveness

Europe and Transatlantic Partnerships Director Max von Thun penned an op-ed with former MEP Marietje Schaake on what has become a critical moment for European policy towards Big Tech - and how Europe can seize it.

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"Safeguarding Europe from such coercion will ultimately enhance its competitiveness. Strong enforcement of competition law and the Digital Markets Act, for example, could curb Big Tech’s influence while creating space for European startups and challengers to thrive. Similarly, implementing the Digital Services Act and the AI Act will protect citizens from harmful content and dangerous AI systems, empowering Europe to offer a genuine alternative to Silicon Valley’s surveillance-driven business models.

Against this backdrop, efforts to develop homegrown European alternatives to Big Tech’s digital infrastructure have been gaining momentum. A notable example is the so-called “Eurostack” initiative, which should be viewed as a key step in defending Europe’s ability to act independently. In an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, sovereignty is about more than competitiveness; it is about security, resilience, and self-determination. European policymakers must therefore weigh competitiveness against other, often more important, objectives. A “competitive” economy holds little value if it comes at the expense of security, a fair and safe digital environment, civil liberties, and democratic values.

Fortunately, Europe doesn’t have to choose. By tackling its technological dependencies, protecting democratic governance, and upholding fundamental rights, it can foster the kind of competitiveness it truly needs."

Read the full piece here.