Rosalind Evans
The European Union unveiled a strategy to safeguard its frontier technologies from potential external espionage, especially in light of increasing concerns about strengthening its ties with China.
“Geopolitical competition is now rooted in technology, and the EU aspires to be a contender rather than a mere spectator,” remarked European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova.
The European Commission urges member countries to promptly undertake risk evaluations in critical sectors, such as advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biotechnologies to shield its open market.
Such sectors are perceived as “prime candidates for immediate and sensitive technology security risks and potential leakages,” thus warranting the utmost protective measures.
Although the European Commission did not pinpoint any particular nation as a potential threat, the overarching sentiment within the EU has been the necessity to formulate strategies that prevent the exploitation of its trade and investments, notably by China, for security and defence objectives.
“While China is a significant factor in the broader picture, our guidelines are neutral concerning any specific country,” clarified Jourova.
Thierry Breton, the EU’s Commissioner for the Internal Market, emphasized that the outlined protective steps have a broader global scope, extending beyond just China.
“Our goal is to minimize risks, which applies to all, even occasionally towards our allies who share similar values,” Breton noted.
The exact implications and subsequent actions following the risk assessments remain undefined.
These proposed steps signify the ongoing challenge the 27-member bloc faces in defining its relationship with Beijing. Despite occasional disagreements on human rights and state-controlled economics, the EU acknowledges the impracticality of severing ties with a global power like China.
Thus, the emphasis is now on risk minimization and ensuring that the EU’s critical economic domains remain shielded from unwarranted influences.
The EU’s move to safeguard its technological frontiers underscores the delicate balance nations must strike in today’s globalized world, particularly when navigating relations with major powers like China. While open collaboration and trade remain essential, the emphasis on security and economic autonomy has never been more pressing. As technology becomes an even more integral part of geopolitical strategies, the steps the EU takes today will likely shape its global standing in the future.
