This weekend was a tough one for me. Having worked for US companies most of my career and having studied in three European countries, I consider myself a Transatlanticist — valuing their shared commitment to innovation, resilience, and progress. I thrive in the intersection of European pragmatism and American ambition, believing in the power of collaboration across borders
However, this feeling took a hit last Friday. We are now already far behind the Zeitenwende or even a wake-up call. We are already in the midst of a seismic shift in transatlantic relations, as the BBC coined it.
For us Europeans this shift couldn’t come at a worse time. The economy is struggling our military lacks resources and we are still too busy with inner politics.
But lamenting won’t help. Sometimes, people rise above themselves when they have no other choice. That’s exactly where we are now. We need to abandon outdated reflexes and ways of thinking
The key? Relentless innovation, industrial resurgence, and technological dominance. Here are five critical areas where Europe must push forward to secure its future and drive transformation:
🚀 Re-Industrialization & Advanced Manufacturing – Strengthening Europe’s industrial backbone through automation, AI, and high-tech materials.
⚡ Energy Resilience & Clean Tech – Building a self-sufficient, sustainable energy infrastructure for long-term security.
🌐 Digital Infrastructure & AI Leadership – Creating a sovereign digital ecosystem and leading in responsible AI.
🛡 Defense & Dual-Use Technology – Innovating in next-gen defense and dual-use technologies for strategic autonomy.
🌱 Bioeconomy & Food Security – Securing sustainable agriculture, biomaterials, and water resources for a resilient future.
The Path Forward
Europe cannot afford to stand still. The road to resilience and global leadership runs through bold investments in these five domains. This is more than adaptation—it’s transformation. The time to act is now.
