Europe must strengthen its own digital infrastructure to lessen reliance on U.S. providers, though this should not mean cutting ties with them entirely, Germany’s Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger told Reuters.
Some Europeans, unsettled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies aimed at advancing American interests, have begun exploring alternatives to the digital ecosystem long dominated by U.S. technology giants.
To achieve true digital sovereignty, Germany and the European Union must “actively participate in this sector as players,” rather than merely acting as customers, Wildberger said in an interview this week.
“There is an enormous growth market for technology, innovation, software, data and artificial intelligence,” he noted, highlighting European firms such as Mistral AI, DeepL and Aleph Alpha as examples of global success stories.
However, Wildberger acknowledged that U.S. companies remain significantly ahead in key areas like artificial intelligence, meaning they will continue to be important partners as Germany develops its own business models.
“Digital sovereignty does not mean protectionism. We want to, and must, remain open to the global market,” he said.
Addressing concerns that President Trump might abruptly curtail transatlantic cooperation, Wildberger added that “U.S. companies naturally remain keen to conduct business overseas.”
Nonetheless, he stressed that German firms must be able to choose between different options — such as where their data is stored and who operates the underlying infrastructure.
Achieving digital sovereignty, he added, also requires rethinking a complex and lengthy supply chain that spans everything from rare earth materials and chip design to servers and fibre-optic cables.
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to publish the UK government's long-awaited Defence Investment Plan ahead of next month's NATO summit in Ankara, following growing pressure over the UK's military spending commitments.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent candidate Eugen Tomac withdrew.
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
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