As geopolitical risks escalate, Europe has been increasingly advocating for "digital sovereignty" in recent years, attempting to reduce its dependence on American technology companies. However, as one of the targets of this concern, Google has finally spoken out.
Google's President of Global Affairs and General Counsel Kent Walker recently issued a strong warning to European leaders, pointing out that the EU's "building of high walls" to exclude foreign technology in pursuit of technological sovereignty will lead to a "competitive paradox"—trying to stimulate economic growth on the one hand, while restricting advanced AI and cloud tools that can achieve this goal on the other, which may ultimately harm Europe's own competitiveness.
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The timing of this warning is quite sensitive. EU leaders just held a summit in Belgium this Thursday (February 12) to discuss how to enhance Europe's competitiveness in a volatile global economy; at the same time, the EU is also preparing to launch a major "Tech Sovereignty Package" in March this year, which will strengthen Europe's local independence in the fields of cloud computing, AI and semiconductors.
In response, Kent Walker stated through the media: "We bring tremendous value to Europe. If the EU builds high walls that make it difficult for companies to use the world's most advanced technologies—especially in today's rapidly advancing technological landscape—it will actually backfire."
Kent Walker argues that the current AI transformation is the most competitive technological revolution in history, with the market growing far faster than regulations. He believes that excessive regulatory friction from the EU would deprive European businesses and consumers of the right to use the best digital tools.
Google's solution: "Open digital sovereignty"
Google is not just complaining; it is also proposing a compromise. Kent Walker is calling on the EU to adopt an "Open Digital Sovereignty" model.
Under this model, US tech companies like Google will establish partnerships with European companies to ensure local storage and control of data, while fully complying with European regulations. This allows Europe to retain control over key technologies while continuing to enjoy the world's most advanced software and services.
In fact, not only Google, but also Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, Europe's largest IT consulting firm, echoed this view this Friday. Ezzat stated bluntly, "Absolute technological sovereignty does not exist." He believes that Europe should not pursue complete technological autonomy, but rather find a suitable balance based on different use cases and government needs, and maintain competitiveness through cooperation with foreign companies.
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Why is the EU so eager for technological independence? The biggest driving force behind it is actually politics.
According to 2023 data, Europe relies on foreign countries for over 80% of its digital products, infrastructure, and intellectual property (primarily from US companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft). Since US President Trump returned to the White House, his unpredictable foreign and trade policies have deeply unsettled EU leaders in Brussels.
European officials worry that over-reliance on US technology is tantamount to handing over the "switch" of infrastructure to Washington, and that Europe could face digital paralysis should relations deteriorate. For example, the French government recently asked its civil servants to stop using Zoom and Microsoft Teams and switch to local alternatives.
