Core Viewpoint - The concept of "de-risking" has emerged in Western discourse, particularly regarding the selective decoupling from China, but it is now being applied to the U.S. by some European media and figures, highlighting concerns over technological dependence on the U.S. and calls for technological independence in Europe [1][2]. Group 1: Technological Dependence - Europe is increasingly viewed as a "digital colony" of the U.S., with significant reliance on American technology across various sectors, including cloud computing and artificial intelligence [2][3]. - Approximately 80% of Europe's digital infrastructure is controlled by foreign companies, with U.S. firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google dominating the cloud services market, holding about 72% of the market share as of Q2 2022 [4]. - The semiconductor industry in Europe is heavily reliant on U.S. designs and patents, with Europe's share of global semiconductor production dropping to around 9% [4]. Group 2: Calls for Independence - European leaders and industry experts are increasingly advocating for reducing reliance on U.S. technology, citing national security concerns and the need for technological sovereignty [5][6]. - Initiatives are underway in various European countries to establish independent technological infrastructures, such as the Netherlands' plans for a national cloud and Germany's shift towards open-source software [6][7]. - The "European Stack" initiative aims to promote the development of European technologies and reduce dependence on U.S. companies, with a proposed budget of €300 billion [8]. Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - Experts acknowledge that achieving technological independence from the U.S. is a complex challenge, requiring significant investment and reform in Europe's technology regulation and market structure [10][11]. - Despite the challenges, Europe possesses potential in fields like microelectronics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, supported by a strong talent pool and research capabilities [11]. - The movement towards reducing dependence on U.S. technology is gaining traction among the public, with many Europeans actively seeking local alternatives to American products [9][12].