Europe’s tech CEOs, addressing the Web Summit technology conference in Lisbon, called for the continent to adopt a Europe-first mentality to counter the growing dominance of U.S. tech giants, particularly in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory. These industry leaders stress the necessity for a more aggressive approach to technology, which calls for Europe to act to reduce its reliance on US firms, which have long dominated crucial sectors such as cloud computing, smartphones, and increasingly, AI.
Andy Yen, chief executive of Swiss VPN provider Proton, said that Europe needs to take steps toward the protection of its own technological future. “It’s time for Europe to step up,” Yen said, comparing Europe’s play to the U.S. “America-first” agenda. His words echo increasing concerns over the stranglehold of many essential technologies by companies from across the Atlantic, deeming it a prime obstacle to European innovation and sovereignty.
And for a while now, European regulators have been very focused on the issue of Big Tech influence, particularly with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) aimed at curbing the kinds of power wielded by companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon. But now, there’s concern that a shift in the political landscape in the U.S., with the return to power of Donald Trump, might pressure Europe to lose its bravado and soften its regulatory stance.
Yen cautioned against this, arguing that the U.S. and China have long operated with less concern for fairness in global markets.
Thomas Plantenga, CEO of the European resale app Vinted, echoed these concerns, highlighting the importance of European self-sufficiency. “We need to ensure we can take care of our own safety, energy, and innovation,” he said. He warned that without strong policies, Europe risks being left behind in the global tech race.
Another key topic discussed at the summit was the growing importance of AI sovereignty. Major U.S. companies such as Microsoft dominate AI infrastructure. European leaders are growing more and more concerned about building localized solutions that reflect regional values and needs in AI systems.
As Donald Trump gears up for his second term, the international tech industry continues to bewilder the future of the regulatory and policy landscape; several businesses are preparing themselves for a presumed U.S. policy shift. European tech leaders are calling on the continent to make rapid decisions to ensure it remains competitive and independent in this fast-moving digital economy.
