- CEOs of European technology companies told CNBC at the Web Summit technology conference this week that the continent should adopt a “Europe-first” approach to tech, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory.
- Andy Yen, CEO of VPN maker Proton, said Europe should “step up” and “be aggressive” to counter U.S. Big Tech firms’ tight grip on many important technologies, such as web browsing, cloud computing, smartphones — and now artificial intelligence.
- Thomas Plantenga, CEO of Lithuania-based used clothing app Vinted, urged Europe to take the “right choices” to ensure it doesn’t get “left behind.”
My miss was somewhat intentional, as I felt you both had some validity to your arguments, and I had wanted to acknowledge you both without looking like I was here to take one side or another, more to try to touch on the similarities you both had to your positions.
Not bringing production of things back to Europe in the current climate I agree would be foolish. Much like with the US trying to secure a future for chip production in our country due to our relations with China be touchy. In that way, it is a positive thing as you say. But it also brings a loss in relations with who we’re guarding ourselves against. I’d rather the US improve Chinese relations than put up new walls, and I’m sure at least to an extent, you’d like your country to be able to count on the US more than you can right now. If we succeed in securing domestic production for our respective countries, I still feel we’re losing something important, and I think that is what the other commenter was trying to get at, but not doing a great job of putting it into words.
I’m also aware I’m on an EU instance, and especially lately, I know some are tired of hearing opinions from Americans even if we don’t support what our pending government wants to do, so I try to tread lightly as possible now while still sharing my thoughts. I want to be respectful and not come off as a know-it-all. There have been so many times America has relied on Europe, I hate to see things getting to the point they’re at. While I can’t make up for what my government has done or will do, I still want to make and hold onto bonds between us where I can.
Then your comment was just bad at conveying that. Maybe next time try and point out what arguments you find valid and why.
I don’t want any democracy under the rule of law legitimize authoritarian and injust regimes by trading them. I don’t want to see metaphorical walls either, I’m German and we do have a history with walls (metaphorical and literal ones) after all. But I want to see governments being consequential in fighting for democracy and justice globally. We attempted ”Let’s just trade and exchange knowledge and they’ll see how much better our system is“ twice before with both Russia and China. How did it work out so far?
No. I don’t want to depend on anyone anymore. I want equal partnerships instead of this weird corporate colonialism.
And what would that be? What exactly would we lose?
I don’t care where you’re from. Neither do I care about labels. I care about arguments, positions, ideas and proposals. Specific, tangible things that can be discussed.
You want our governments to fight for democracy and justice globally? Wtf? And you are accusing the other guy of being an idealist.
This is just such a misled, outdated view of the world. Your kind of thinking will lead to economic as well as idealistic warfare in the long run.
I guess I’m at a loss for how to discuss a charged topic here right now. Since the election, I seem to get a harsh reception no matter my approach. I’ve had people get just as frustrated at me for doing what you say I should do. I don’t feel it’s very productive getting annoyed at someone trying to talk, as it is kinda the purpose of social media, but everyone can do what they feel the need to do.