Technological geopolitics plays semiconductors again in the center of the European debate. In Brussels, the Semicom Coalition (composed of nine countries, including Spain, Germany and France) has presented a joint declaration backed by the 27 Member States before the European Commission. The goal: to prevent the continental industry from being lagging with giants such as the United States or China, in a context in which chips have become a strategic resource for sectors as diverse as automotive, telecommunications, defense or energy transition
The initiative coincides with the review of the European Chips Law, approved in 2023 as a great strategy to double the production capacity of semiconductors in the Union from here to 2030. The new document is not limited to a technical update, but sets political priorities that will mark the European industrial agenda in the coming years.
“Semiconductors are the backbone of strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications or automotive. Ensuring a solid position in Europe in this industry is essential for its technological leadership and its long -term prosperity,” collects the text approved in Brussels.
Five priorities for semiconductors
The statement details a road map with five large lines of action. The first commitment to reinforce collaboration between industry, academic world and SMEs. It is about generating an ecosystem of alliances that cover from suppliers to the final markets, ensuring the viability of the entire European value chain.
The second focuses on financing. Member States claim to coordinate national and European funds, both public and private, and accelerate the approval of strategic projects. Agile access to private capital is considered key to compete with the millionaire investments that are already deploying the United States and Asia.
Semiconductors are the backbone of strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications or automotive
The third priority addresses one of the most visible bottlenecks: the lack of specialized professionals. The document proposes to promote the formation of a quarry of European talents in semiconductors, both in the field of engineering and in technical and production profiles.
Another prominent point is the commitment to the green transition. The Semicom coalition states that the development of chips and components must contribute to cleaner and more efficient manufacturing, in line with the climatic objectives of the EU. Finally, the importance of maintaining global relationships with related partners is underlined, with an eye on creating resilient supply chains that reduce the dependence of Asia.
The role of Spain and the international dimension
Spain is among the nine countries promoting the coalition, constituted in March 2025. The Government has repeatedly reiterated its willingness to place the country as a reference node in advanced design and manufacturing, relying on European funds and belonging to the chip, endowed with more than 12,000 million euros.
In a global scenario marked by geopolitical tensions and export restrictions, Europe seeks to strengthen its strategic autonomy without giving up international cooperation. “Promoting global collaboration with related international partners is not an option, but a need. Only a stable and diversified supply chain can be guaranteed,” says the statement.
Private industry is also committed
Together with the political document, the European Commission has received a support statement from the private sector. Technology companies, chip manufacturers and industrial associations have shown their support for the objectives of the Chips Law. This convergence between the public and private sector reinforces the idea that European competitiveness will depend on large -scale collaboration capacity.
For the industry, the challenge is not only to manufacture more chips, but to produce those that are critical for artificial intelligence and high performance computing. The challenge implies attracting foreign investment, but also developing own capacities that reduce vulnerabilities in sensitive areas such as defense, energy or telecommunications.
A turning point for artificial intelligence in Europe
Beyond the industrial debate, what is at stake is the position of Europe in the global career of artificial intelligence. Without a solid supply of advanced semiconductors, any strategy in the field would be limited. The SEMICOM statement connects both debates, making it clear that chips and algorithms are part of the same equation for the technological future of the continent.
The review of the Chips Law that now begins will be decisive. The question is whether Europe will transform this political consensus into tangible projects capable of competing on scale and speed with the initiatives of the United States or Asia.
