Digital sovereignty (2/3): Can Europe’s businesses survive without US Big Tech?

February 3, 2026 - 21:17

European businesses are conducting a high-stakes audit of their digital dependencies, driven by growing geopolitical unease. A central fear is the potential for a future US administration, possibly under a returning Donald Trump, to disrupt critical technology flows, effectively "pulling the plug" on services many companies rely on daily.

This anxiety is accelerating a push toward "digital sovereignty"—the concept of Europe asserting greater control over its data, infrastructure, and software. The reliance on American cloud computing giants, productivity suites, and social media platforms is now seen by many not just as a commercial choice, but as a strategic vulnerability. From small startups to major industrial firms, the question is no longer about convenience, but about operational continuity and data security in a fragmented world.

The challenge is monumental. US Big Tech offers unparalleled scale, innovation, and integrated ecosystems that are deeply embedded in business processes. Building or switching to European alternatives requires significant investment, poses compatibility hurdles, and may involve short-term losses in efficiency. Yet, the political and regulatory momentum is building. European initiatives are increasingly favoring home-grown or sovereign solutions, framing technological independence as essential for the bloc's economic resilience and political autonomy. The coming years will test whether European industry can successfully navigate this decoupling, balancing competitive needs with strategic self-reliance.