Digital Sovereignty: The Dangerous Vulnerability of German Industry | EUROtoday

The subsequent US presidency below Donald Trump will convey nice unrest to the German financial system. Every second firm assumes that they are going to in all probability have to vary their provide chains on account of Trump’s election victory. 56 p.c say they even must adapt their enterprise technique accordingly. This is the results of a consultant survey of greater than 600 corporations from all sectors in Germany with 20 or extra workers, which was carried out on behalf of the digital affiliation Bitkom.

Almost each firm, 95 p.c, is demanding that Germany change into extra unbiased of the USA. “Donald Trump will become President of the United States again on Monday – that is a challenge for Germany and Europe,” mentioned Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst. “Although the USA will remain one of our most important partners, we must now position ourselves as stronger, more resilient and more opportunity-oriented and become more technologically and economically independent.” The new federal authorities should put the financial system again on the middle of politics and make digital sovereignty the highest precedence. make subject.

When it involves digital applied sciences, there’s hardly any means across the USA in the present day. Eight out of ten corporations subsequently see themselves as depending on importing these applied sciences from the USA. Almost 90 p.c of them import digital units and companies from the United States. Only six out of ten corporations additionally export digital items and companies there.

Trump introduced greater tariffs within the run-up to his presidency. Observers subsequently anticipate protectionism to strengthen. In addition, below the subsequent US president, the USA is more likely to isolate China much more than earlier than. This additionally has an influence on the German financial system, which does enterprise in and with China. Eight out of ten corporations in Germany see themselves as depending on China when importing digital applied sciences and companies.

The demand for much less technological dependence has been round for a few years. Politicians, but in addition Bitkom, repeatedly warn them. But up to now with out success. Even the alternative happens. According to the businesses’ personal evaluation, the dependence is changing into ever better. Currently solely three p.c of all corporations see themselves as having the ability to survive for greater than two years with out digital imports. A yr in the past, seven p.c of corporations mentioned this. One in six corporations mentioned they’d solely final half a yr.

According to the survey, nearly no firm (96 p.c) can do with out importing digital applied sciences and companies. At 90 p.c, the purchasing listing is topped by units akin to smartphones and notebooks. But three quarters of corporations additionally supply software program purposes from overseas, nearly as a lot as cybersecurity purposes akin to firewalls. Almost 70 p.c of digital elements akin to semiconductors or sensors are imported. And no less than each second firm sources digital companies, together with IT consulting or programming companies, from overseas. “We have to become more digitally independent so as not to be susceptible to blackmail,” mentioned Bitkom President Wintergerst.

The most essential importing international locations for digital applied sciences and companies are the USA and EU international locations, that are on equal phrases. But then China follows, the place nearly 80 p.c of corporations place their orders. According to their very own statements, no firm buys in Russia anymore – not least due to the sanctions. “Russia no longer plays a role in the digital economy, trust in Russia has been permanently destroyed,” mentioned Wintergerst.

The dependence of the German financial system has not decreased in recent times. But in response to their very own statements, the businesses haven’t remained idle. According to the survey, six out of ten corporations have diversified their suppliers in order that they don’t seem to be depending on only one buying and selling associate. Just as many declare to have considerably diminished their enterprise relationships with sure international locations resulting from political developments.

But switching to different suppliers has its limits. Almost 60 p.c of corporations state that they merely haven’t any various to particular person enterprise companions overseas. More than 4 in 10 corporations have additionally elevated their stock ranges, permitting them to climate short-term provide chain difficulties. Only round one in eight corporations acknowledged that that they had not taken any measures.

Thomas Heuzeroth is a enterprise editor in Berlin. He experiences on Consumer- and expertise matters, Consumer electronics and telecommunications.