The ambassador expressed concern about Brussels’ efforts to “decouple” from Washington in the technology sector.
The EU this week unveiled plans to reduce its reliance on American and Asian technology, including prioritizing European companies in the most sensitive public procurement contracts for cloud computing and AI.
Asked about it at a conference, US Ambassador Andrew Puzder said he had yet to examine the plans in detail but was generally concerned about the chosen direction.
“I’m certainly concerned when Europe tries to decouple from the United States on these technology issues,” Puzder said at the Brussels Economic Security Forum in the Belgian capital.
“We are fighting an AI war with China. I think it’s important for Western civilization that the United States wins,” he said.
If Beijing were to prevail, it could use its technological advantage for economic coercion – to Europe’s detriment, he added.
Read more Czech ‘Fortuna’ asks for permission to acquire 70% of ‘Top sport’ and ‘Top loto’ shares
“It’s important that Europe and the United States remain partners,” he said.
The EU’s “technological sovereignty” package aims to boost local production in key technology sectors as Europe tries to catch up with the United States and China.
According to the European Commission (EC), Brussels considers this an existential issue, as companies from countries outside the 27-nation bloc supply more than 80% of its digital products, services, infrastructure, and intellectual property.
The EU is concerned that its vulnerability was highlighted by last year’s crises with China over chips and rare earth elements, as well as fears that US President Donald Trump could one day cut off American cloud computing services almost overnight.
However, Puzder warned that Europe, which has yet to produce any AI giant and suffers from high energy prices, is too far behind to catch up in the AI race on its own.
“It can catch up by partnering with the United States, and we hope that will happen,” he said.
Read more Before the grandiose concerts in Vingis Park – a special new release from Jessica Shy
