Europe’s balancing act: building tech sovereignty without strangling access

The FT View argues Europe must pursue tech sovereignty carefully: nurture European tech capabilities and control over critical tech through measures like a Cloud and AI Development Act and revised Chips Act, while avoiding measures that cut off access to leading US providers or invite retaliation. The plan would include sovereignty risk assessments, preferring EU-made software/hardware for the most sensitive contracts (level 4), and boosting cross-border investment and a unified single market to help European firms scale. In short, Europe should create the conditions for European champions without protectionist baggage that could undermine competitiveness or provoke a pushback from the US.