Leaked Strategy Offers a Candid View from Inside Brussels
As Politico reported and analyzed, the European Union is preparing to release a comprehensive international digital strategy that candidly reflects its ambitions and limitations. The draft, which has not yet been made public, acknowledges Europe’s goal of reducing dependence on U.S.-based tech companies.
While digital sovereignty remains a cornerstone of EU rhetoric, Politico’s review reveals that policymakers now view full technological independence as impractical in the short to medium term. Instead, the strategy suggests focusing on risk mitigation, regulatory alignment, and selective investment in European-led alternatives.
U.S. Political Shifts Intensify European Concerns
The political climate in the United States is a significant backdrop to the EU’s recalibration. According to Politico, the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the presidency has fueled anxiety in Brussels over the long-term stability of transatlantic tech cooperation. Trump’s previous administration took a confrontational stance toward EU digital policies and trade, and there are concerns that such a position could return with even greater intensity.
More urgently, European policymakers worry that U.S. laws, such as the CLOUD Act, may allow American authorities to compel access to data processed by U.S.-based companies, even when that data is physically stored in Europe. This potential extraterritorial reach has reignited debates about sovereignty, trust, and the legal boundaries of international tech governance.
Tech Autonomy vs. Market Reality: A Strategic Dilemma
According to Politico, the internal strategy document acknowledges a difficult truth: even as the EU pushes for autonomy, its institutions and businesses depend heavily on American digital infrastructure. Giants like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure remain dominant providers in Europe’s public and private sectors.
The draft suggests that rather than attempting a complete decoupling, Europe should pursue a strategy of “managed interdependence.” This involves reinforcing data protection rules, demanding contractual safeguards, and investing in alternatives without cutting ties altogether. For example, initiatives like Gaia-X aim to establish a federated, European-led data ecosystem, but progress has been slow and fragmented.
Shaping Global Norms, Not Just Catching Up
Rather than out-competing U.S. platforms on scale or speed, the EU is shifting its narrative toward normative leadership. Politico reports that the strategy aims to make Europe a “standard-setter” in global digital governance. This includes exporting regulations like the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), which influence legislative discussions in countries far beyond the EU.
To support this, the EU is expected to increase funding for digital research, strengthen strategic tech alliances (including with like-minded democracies), and develop targeted international outreach campaigns to promote ethical technology frameworks based on transparency, accountability, and fairness.
From Rhetoric to Realism and a New Role for Europe
The leaked strategy, as outlined by Politico, marks a notable evolution in the EU’s digital policymaking: from aspirational rhetoric to policy realism. It signals that sovereignty does not necessarily mean self-sufficiency but rather resilience – the ability to shape terms of engagement, reduce vulnerabilities, and remain agile in a volatile global tech landscape.
Source: Politico
