Schwarzenberg stage | Europe's Semiconductor Strategy: Aspiration or Reality?

Semiconductors now sit at the centre of economic security, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical influence. By 2025, Europe remains strategically exposed: manufacturing capacity is still limited, design capabilities trail global leaders, and critical segments of advanced packaging and materials remain concentrated in Asia. At the same time, U.S.–China rivalry, surging demand from Europe’s automotive and energy sectors, and the rapid expansion of AI compute needs are accelerating global competition. Europe now faces a narrowing window to define its role. The first EU Chips Act established a foundation, but persistent gaps in scale, talent, and strategic financing make clear that Europe cannot pursue everything everywhere. The core strategic question ahead is whether Europe can build selectively and partner intelligently or risk deeper dependency in a world where semiconductors shape both economic and security outcomes. - Where should Europe build and where should it partner? - What choices are most urgent to avoid deeper dependency? - Which alliances matter most for securing critical chip access? Speakers: "Steve Babureck, EVP Chief Strategy Officer, Soitec Hian Goh, Founding Partner, Open Space Capital Eva Maydell, MEP, Delegation for Relations with the United States Luís Viegas Cardoso, Senior Research Fellow, GLOBSEC GeoTech Centre Led by: Chris Stokel-Walker, Freelance Journalist" Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GLOBSECforum X: https://x.com/GLOBSEC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10637133/admin/dashboard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globsecthinktank/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/globsec.bsky.social