TL;DR
- European businesses are warning of dependency on US technology
- The ‘Europe Stand Tall’ campaign aims to reduce reliance on foreign tech giants
- Experts call for a sovereign infrastructure fund to support European digital infrastructure
- The European Commission is urged to adopt a ‘Buy European’ mandate for public procurement
The European tech industry is calling for a shift towards local solutions, amid concerns over the continent’s dependence on US technology. The ‘Europe Stand Tall’ campaign, launched by Danish consultancy Netcompany, aims to promote the use of European technologies and reduce reliance on foreign tech giants.
Introduction
The campaign comes as the European Union faces increasing pressure to reduce its dependence on US technology, particularly in the wake of the Trump administration’s unpredictable policies. Netcompany’s CEO, André Rogaczewski, has called for “European solutions—built by European companies, run on European data, and accountable to European citizens.” This sentiment is echoed by other European tech leaders, who argue that the continent needs to develop its own digital infrastructure to ensure sovereignty and security.
Concerns Over US Technology
The use of US technology in Europe has raised concerns over data privacy, security, and the potential for US companies to be forced to disclose sensitive information to the US government. Frank Karlitschek, CEO of German cloud-hosting company Nextcloud, has warned of the risks of relying on US cloud services, citing the example of Ukraine, which was cut off from vital infrastructure by the US. “Europeans need sovereignty in critical infrastructures, and they include not only energy and healthcare, but certainly digital,” he said.
The ‘Europe Stand Tall’ Campaign
The ‘Europe Stand Tall’ campaign is calling for a number of measures to promote the use of European technologies, including the creation of a sovereign infrastructure fund to support European digital infrastructure. The campaign also advocates for a ‘Buy European’ mandate for public procurement, which would require European public authorities to purchase digital solutions from European companies. This, the campaign argues, would help to stimulate demand for European technologies and support the growth of the European tech industry.
Expert Opinions
Experts in the field have welcomed the campaign, citing the need for European countries to develop their own digital infrastructure. “The key driver of the rising productivity gap between the EU and the US has been digital technology,” said former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. “Europe needs to recover the initiative and become more technologically independent across all layers of its critical digital infrastructure.” Cristina Caffarra, a competition economist, has also argued that the EU needs to adopt a more radical approach to promoting European technologies, including the creation of a sovereign infrastructure fund and the implementation of a ‘Buy European’ mandate.
Conclusion
The ‘Europe Stand Tall’ campaign highlights the need for European countries to develop their own digital infrastructure and reduce their dependence on US technology. As the EU faces increasing pressure to promote its own tech industry, the campaign’s calls for a sovereign infrastructure fund and a ‘Buy European’ mandate are likely to resonate with policymakers. With the European Commission set to review its public procurement rules, the campaign’s message is timely and relevant.
References
[^1]: The Register (2025). “European biz calls for Euro tech for local people“. The Register. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
[^2]: TechCrunch (2025). “European tech industry coalition calls for ‘radical action’ on digital sovereignty — starting with buying local“. TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
[^3]: UNN (2025). “European technology companies advocate for the development of a “Eurostack” and reducing dependence on the United States“. UNN. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
[^4]: NBC Philadelphia (2025). “Buy European: Airbus and others call for sovereign fund and higher Europe tech autonomy“. NBC Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
[^5]: Heinrich Böll Stiftung (2024). “Europe’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty: Can a “Euro Stack” Protect the EU from Trump and Big Tech?“. Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
