A week ago, my country Slovenia was devastated by massive floods, impacting 2/3 of the country. Despite the war ravaging their own country, Ukrainians have sent truck convoys carrying heavy equipment, such as excavators, to aid us. Additionally, Ukrainian individuals who came here fleeing the war are already providing assistance. True friends reveal themselves in difficult times.

Europe playing to its strengths and reducing dependency from others are not mutually exclusive. Disruption to supply chains during the pandemic has proved that there must be at least some strategical production capacity that must be guaranteed in order to mitigate the impact of global events, and there is no way around this fact. This doesn't mean we will stop sourcing from outside of Europe, it just means not putting all our eggs in the same basket.

You don't know how big the ocean is while you're swimming in it

Once upon a time Taiwan wasn't strong in chip manufacturing either. They invested on it and are now world leaders in that sector.

I'm an American living in Germany and i find that Germans are a pretty conservative people. I hear them often say, we don't do that. It's like no one wants to be the first to do something different from the rest. I also find them very slow to change.

@DW News Please change the title to "Should Germany invest...", you barely cover any other European country (mentioned ASML from Netherlands once)...Overall I think the EU should play to its strengths and improve on its weaknesses (never good to rely too much on others for essentials; the pandemic and recent war issues made that crystal clear). But back to my point about how DW makes titles for their programs. There are so many strong aspects for Europe from some other larger and smaller countries. E.g. Italy is an aerospace, defense tech, automotive/heavy industry, energy and supercomputing leader (the world's/Europe's 4th/2nd most powerful supercomputer sits in Bologna; Italy is Europe's second largest manufacturer e.g. roughly >60% of components in German cars come from Italy. It is one of the world's most automated countries and the world's third largest exporter of robotics. Companies like Avio Aero, Leonardo, Comau, Ansaldo STS, ENI, Prysmian Group are among the global leaders in their field) Italo-French company ST Microelectronics is also among the world's top semiconductor companies and a great example of EU partners creating joint efforts (Airbus is another great example). Not to mention French companies like Alstom, Thales, Swiss companies like ABB or Dutch companies like ASML, Philips...Quantum computing giant SEEQC opened two major global research centers Europe (Italy and England, the latter technically not EU, but still Europe ;P). But no, we mainly hear about Zeiss and why GERMANY needs to invest to do this and that & partly Macron bla bla.... At least have the decency to be straight-forward about what the talk will be about. Please DO NOT make GERMANY = EU or GERMANY/FRANCE = EU the standard when talking about the EU, otherwise it is worthless tuning in....there are many other countries contributing to the EU's strengths, not only Germany (or France).Yes, Germany is the largest economy, but without the others it wouldn't be what it is and neither would the EU!

we seem to be moving towards a new cold war. So it doesn't really matter if production in Germany is competitive or not, as there will most likely be a lot less global trade in the coming years. Supply chains will have to be shortened, we can no longer rely on countries on the other side of the world for anything important.

Selling out to China and forgoing IP rights, was the greatest ever western mistake and could cost the west the entire farm. It might be too late to recover, but try they must. Germany must cover all bases and not simply rest on what it's good at. Technology independence is essential. Germany should not only build on its strengths, but also eliminate its weaknesses. Too narrow a focus is a high risk strategy. That is why the EU got trapped by reliance on Russia. Bad mistake.

Europe helped build China economy along with America, so, of course, Europe can compete.

Yes, I hope they can continue to focus on what they are good at and that they can bring forward their specialized talents while modernizing with expanding education systems and cultural sectors as they implement productivity enhancing softwares... It makes me feel better to have the west focusing on chips, but I also see the huge risk of huge centralized investments so I hope it works out.

I think subsidizing certain projects can work like a Schwerpunkt-tactic. If it manages to draw peripheral industry and services to create a self sustaining and growing economy after cutting back spending, I would consider it worthwhile.

We just need a baseload of chipproduction in Europe for our own security

European strengths lies in open source development. Chip development is extremely essential in the future for Europe. But open source is where Europe does shine, because its community based instead of vendors and big tech companies.

Germany is buying market production rather than finding it. That has never worked anywhere in the world.

Where will Europe get the raw materials from? It is easier said than done.

Bottom line: de-regulate. The opposite of what the EU Commission is going to do.

Very interesting interview, thanks!

Germany led the EU in protectionist measures to compete with the USA as a home for the digital economy over the last 15 years. Chips are manufacturing, traditionally something Germany has been good at. It is also a component for other manufacturing. This strikes me as being something they should focus on having some capacity to manufacture.

Woow. Chips are strategically essential therefore great move … there’s more than dividens…

Very good interviewer. And very interesting exchange.

It's a bit telling, that in this video EU, Europe and Germany are terms used interchangeably, but only German interests and the German industry is being discussed here.

Semiconductor investments by Europe (not only the German tax payers are contributing) have the same reason as the US subsidized investments: reduction of dependencies outside of its influence in case of global crises. It is true that the chips that will be built are not the most advanced, but that is because chips will be produced for the highest market demand. That doesn't mean that advanced chips cannot be produced in case it's needed. With these new production facilities combined with the strength of ASML Europe will be able to be independent in case of a crisis. We have learned not to become dependent on strategic resources. Regarding AI the American pundit is arguing that excellent AI research done in Europe, but overregulation will stagnate competitiveness, and that it's better not to regulate and first discover what is possible. The counter-argument to make here is of course that the tech industry has asked for regulation because of the risks that come with AI, which is already known. Instead of the typical no-government intervention the US pundit advocates, the US should take the regulations the EU has put in place as guidance for its own attempts to regulate in order to prevent a similar mess the US tech industry is creating in the world of social communication where unregulated Facebook, Twitter/X and the likes are creating a whole eco-system of lies that people get caught up in, which is taking an axe to democracy itself. It would be good if DW would take the global political situation into account when it speaks about economics, and put counter-arguments to pundits who are clearly pushing an American, short-sighted agenda. All good between friends, but come on DW, up your game and level and put better EU counter-arguments forward. It would raise the level of the conversation.

We need high end semiconductor industry to produce and test machines for it. And it isnt that important how much it costs, its important to have it when supply from outside stopps. To build it then would be the bigger and expensive problem.

Germany first of all needs stable internet connection.

"Obsession with privacy" is a matter of priorities. We are not a chiense dicatorship so we do want privacy for our citizens. Germany is not Europe or even the EU... Our strenght in Europe, also Germany, is usually we do not only look at thsi is how it is made in my country/town but being open to world wide trade.

Is it just me or was the interviewee just repeatedly missing the point of the whole endeavor. It seemed like almost willful ignorance. Europe *_doesn't_* wind up with an oversupply *_if_* a war with *Taiwan* or *Korea* or *China* breaks out. Keeping indigenous production is to guard against these vulnerabilities. I believe Taiwan produces a dramatic percentage of the _world's_ advanced semiconductors and more and more of the world products depend on them. It is unacceptable to leave such a large percentage in the hands of so few countries.

I would love to see the investment coming from EU and not Germany. Its in the interest of the entire union.

Great interviewer, he asked smart challenging questions and didn't let the guest make wild claims.

I usually choose European tech providers, e.g. Protonmail, Hetzner because of privacy policies in Europe.

Great interview and interview. How refreshing to see a journalist who has done his research.

Sap was founded last century Telekom as well not in the 19th

why asking american talking about tech investment in germany? its not like germany is vassal state of us. but definitely interesting take about division of labour and germany shouldve played its strength. while his anti regulation stance is way too liberal for europe.

Europe should focus on Automobile Industry rather than chips.

Anchors team did his research. The gentlemen interviewed didn't get these state interventions are being done for security and independence not for economic efficiencies through national specialization that result in fragile supply chains and a lack of redundancy when overdone.

With the euro dropping again so hard I don’t think people should invest in Germany

My professor in uni told me that for car manufacturing the most advanced chips are not used, since they are more reliable. Which is more important than processing power in cars. The most advanced chips are only used in computer and phone components since a failure only leads to a bug and has less severe consequences compared to a bug in a car potentially having lethal consequences. Thus, Germany would not need the most advanced chips since it does not produce computer or phone components

7:30 Characterizing privacy as an obsession isn't a good look these days.

1 important fact is, that Europe is the coolest continent. So the future will be good.

the interview confused EU with Germany for a big chunk of the interview

Selling Kuka robotics to China, then giving away billions to tsmc. Can anyone explain how this make sense?

The journalist is gooood 👍

Wow the last sentence about dropping on the privacy to attract more digital business really hit hard the whole reception of the video. People the privacy is paramount! Sure we can develop in digital industry but doing it at the cost of privacy is a downhill ride.

USA compelled TSMC to invest in USA making no competitive chips in market.

A typical free market viewpoint. One thing clearly NOT properly being addressed by the free market is risk management. How did it work out for Germany to be dependent on cheap Russian gas? Germany was well aware of the risks of being dependent on Russia, so why did they continue with these pipelines? Money? Politicians and business leaders who had kompromat created on trips to Russia? Why is this not investigated? So how is the free world being dependent on Taiwan for micro chips a good idea with Chinese threats to invade Taiwan? Letting the so-called "free market" do your risk management is almost as bad as allowing the free market destroy the environment.

In the light of Arizona problem. Labour unions in Germany should discuss the pay and working hours alignment to be part of the subsidy? Otherwise the operation timeline will be pushed back if tmTSMC could not get the talent or labour they want. They could ended up migrating a lot of Taiwanese engineers to Germany.

Both of you seem to have missed a very large factoid about German industrial processing; they make chemicals, lots of chemicals; they use a bunch of natural gas to get things hot, but they use even more as "feedstock" to build the molecules of the chemicals they can sell. Germany is presently feeling pretty good about it's present gas supply- they wouldn't if just BASF cranked back up to full production. Germany's chemical industry will will need a major overhaul as well as find vendors that will give them prices that won't make their finished chemicals cost prohibitive.

The world leader in semi conductors, by many years, is a European company, the Dutch ASML

The West should be self-sufficient, but it is a bit more expensive. Other regions can enjoy the benefits of international division of labor.

The topic is supposed to be european strengths, but it’s all about Germany. Other countries do fine in Software development. You also talk about big companies when we know that growth comes from smaller companies

Yes, the return of analog.

Semiconductors are the industrials of the XXI century, so we should certainly invest. Plus the person being interviewed didn't seem to be right about several things. Simple example to check: Tesla biggest fab is in the US and outside of the US is in China.

Who said that without money we can't make a business?

Many of the AI engineering and tech professionals immigrate out of the EU to the US and to China because of the difficult regulation and taxation in the EU on the other side the EU is not investing very well in this field and put a lot of rules

“This sort of state-led industrial policy isn’t what made Germany rich.” Huh? It’s harder to be more entwined with the state than, say, Volkswagen. Also, Germany’s hardly alone-all the advances that kept America’s tech advantage in the last 50 years (semiconductors, internet, GPS, etc) were also the fruit of industrial policy, except that Americans refer to it as “defense spending.”

it is impossible to have europian chip manufacturer. we have come so far away

I disagree with this guy completely. Europe and North America are investing in shortening their supply lines and that makes much better security sense

Of course Europe should invest on its own strength... Isn't that default policy for every country? The challenge in EU is the difficulty to align understanding of its own strength. The current way of EU organization cannot support that.

The public does not want AI.

Obsession with privacy he said :D

Worker and job protection is also a strength. Want a productive workforce? Invest in it. How is China doing on this?

What is preventing Germany's BMW, French Dassault, Italian Ferrari to innovate and come up with the next blockbuster idea?

SNAKE EYES is the best movie ever! Snake eyes is my name.

Does Germany has enough water for this, though?

germany should play to its strengths is exactly why the german carmakers could not switch to EVs until they saw no way out. What says Germans or Germany cannot be strong in chips? And why is it OK for him to develop software, but not to develop chips? Software is not then Germany's strength either.

Fragmentation serves as an impediment to Growth NOT innovation!!

Germanys' strength is in high-end industries and machinery that the word wants and needs, so don't start with protectionism and sanctions that will backfire

A usa old school analytic asked if the eu should be more independent of usa. 😅 … how pointless is zhis?

This guy is waffling he now gets that there is strategic interest for countries to ensure there are key industries in their countries. This is a good reporter asking tough questions

Understandable should Germany be building their cloud with its own data regulatory, GDPR , V2X & digitised infra, provided it's a bottom-up enabler for both public engagement & innovation. Supply chain is secure, whether robotics or automotive ... Capital freedom has improved, coupled with global supply distributorship, allows for all types of trades, partnerships and IP management. Offsetting costs with private collaboration for trainings & research is a strengthening factor.🌐💫

Having to convince Germany about importance Internet is ridiculous, LOL

Why is this guy so obsessed with imaging and Zeiss, does he have a advertising contract 😂

The world of global segmentation which is over we are now entering a world of global networking the same tech being built worldwide. And the labour disparity is being alleviated by automation.

"Strengths"? Without mental ability, what "strengths" can there be? An excellent example is Dumkopf Scholz. Germany, the engine of Europe, is now a "Dump-hole."

Heading EU, Talks Germany

This guy has too many conflics of interest to be talking about about this. We have to produce semiconductors and chips in Europe. China could invade Taiwan, Japan and south Korea will be involved and even North Korea can start armagedon. This guys just talk about regulation because of google. What a bad choice DW.

Can you give us non-luxury German gaming laptops?

Recession is all I hear 🙉

Key word: subsidy. So in short, they’re coming because they can make their profit margins bigger. Impressive financial politic. Investment in Germany: again, Germany is promising a company to give it a shitload of money and this is called investment. No. This is ripping of german taxpayers.

It’s not about having talent in EU, it’s about attracting more talented people like Elon, Steve and hundreds of Indian CEOs as California. When we got them we know we did the right things

US and China are competing Europe is sidekick

Besides Germany being a disaster when it comes to digital, most of the other things the guest said, I'm highly dubious of

Germany need young people to drive technology. Many big companies goes in the old elephant walking speed

Coud it be possible that the google guy is just affraid of what may happen, if germans start to be serios about the production of things USA wants to make money with?

Europeans are great at R&D, invention and achieving scientific breakthroughs, there is no doubt about that but they are also great at tech transfer to China, and appeasing authoritarian regimes for their own short term benefits.

We should push - make a point with our € too. If it's not made here when it could be we're not buying it. B*llshit about making things more expensive. Giant brands just have to accept profits are ludicrous. It's good for the environment too. At least there's some effort to manufacture responsibly and ethically here. Economic disparity and volatility in the USA and China makes us, for the moment, the consumers keeping the merry go round moving.

Go Europa !!!

There won't be a lot of startups in Germany as long as you are not allowed to open a small business while still being employed

Liberalize labour market? The new name for workers without rights! Workers of the world, UNITE!

Unfortunately Germany’s car industry is now under threat. Volkswagen a company that used to be a byword in quality engineering has been damaged by recent quality issues. Germany needs to stop and fix the problems, then move on.

The EU should invest in whatever’s necessary to produce more hot chicks. Don’t end up like America and Canada. Idc if you need to ban McDonalds. You do it

A small part of the people has opportunity to have good jobs! High living cost! No social services, no hospital, no school for the poor!

The EU needs chips. Germany needs chips. - *Have Not's* will be punished by having *NO Access* ...and with so much built with and upon chips we have to build them too!

1900s is 20th century bro, not 19th century 😂

Europe had been beating the world until the US took that post

Not the best speaker, I think. Strangely conservative or plain outdated.

EU regulation and administration and culture bureaucracy and taxation make it very difficult to grow in this field especially if your individual and you have an idea in tech or you want to develop some technology ideas it is not like in the US in the US they also accept the immigrant people and give them a chance easily to be grown up and develop ideas in the tech market as an European company its very difficult that they let you to be more successful than them and this will kill the innovation and lead to immigrate from EU as almost 50 % of the Tech people they immigrate to the US from EU

No, just send all the manufacture to USA, make it great again! At the expense of others lol

The world is changing and Europe needs to change with it, simple as that. 🧐

Too bad Germans can't watch this video on their fax machines.

I actually appreciate european regulation. I do not want to end up like China or the US.