European Resilience in Digital Infrastructure: The Changing Nature of State-Business Relations
Russian strikes on Ukraine's terrestrial communications increased Kyiv's dependence on SpaceX's Starlink, which became indispensable for military functions with no European alternative. Europe relies on foreign countries and private tech firms for over 80 percent of its critical digital products and services, and its efforts to gain control, such as the 2023 European Chips Act, have not delivered the necessary support. The European Commission proposed a Tech Sovereignty Package in June to develop and control key technologies with less reliance on non-EU suppliers, but European businesses lament government initiatives for creating uncertainty and stifling innovation.
Why it matters: This illustrates the theme of digital sovereignty, as Europe's dependence on foreign private tech firms for critical infrastructure creates vulnerabilities that can be weaponized, complicating state-business relations and national security.