Comparto con vosotros el artículo publicado en Invertia (El Español). He preparado esta traducción al inglés sobre un tema que considero la urgencia máxima de nuestra década: la soberanía del silicio en Europa.
Can Europe Lead the Silicon Race?
In 2010, amid the subprime mortgage crisis, Intel CEO Andy Grove opened a debate that redefined U.S. industrial strategy: How America Can Create Jobs. His message was a clear plea against the loss of productive capabilities, highlighting the need for reindustrialization to foster high-value innovation and global influence. Grove’s stance—defending domestic high-end chip manufacturing—marked a turning point. Global leadership cannot be sustained if R&D does not translate into internal value chains.
Today, Europe finds itself in a similar, yet more critical, situation. International instability and the shift toward new axes of power demand a profound review of economic and technological strategies. The war in Ukraine, Middle East tensions, and a more protectionist U.S. administration under Trump force us to reconsider our autonomy. Meeting the 2% GDP NATO commitment is not just about spending; it’s about possessing dual-use technological capabilities, particularly in semiconductors.
While Europe has giants like ASML, Infineon, and STMicroelectronics, most cutting-edge production has shifted to Asia and North America. This is not just a commercial disadvantage; it is an autonomy crisis. Investing in semiconductors is a matter of sovereignty. Without our own chips, Europe will lose its global influence, its ability to deploy robust cyber-defense systems, and its energy transition goals.
The EU Chips Act is a start, but it will fail without a change in mindset: reducing bureaucracy, fostering public-private cooperation, and retaining top-tier talent. The U.S. and Asia have shown the way through massive investment and long-term vision. Without silicon sovereignty, Europe cannot be a first-rate international actor.
The demand for chips—driven by AI, 5G/6G, and Quantum Computing—will only grow. This is our last chance to keep pace. It is not about entering a global conflict, but about negotiating as equals from a position of strength. If we do not act with determination now, we accept a secondary role in history. Quoting Grove’s essence: without internal value chains, there is no strategic autonomy. Time is running out.
🔗 Puedes leer el artículo completo en español aquí: https://www.elespanol.com/invertia/disruptores/opinion/20241228/europa-puede-lider-silicio/911278864_12.html