The EU International Digital Strategy: what code for tech diplomacy?

With intensifying geopolitical and technological competition, the EU faces a critical moment in redefining its digital power, partnerships and global position. The EU’s recent push to advance its International Digital Strategy, aimed at strengthening technological resilience and competitiveness with a range of initiatives and investments, signals new momentum for truly action-oriented tech diplomacy.

This Lab session covers three interrelated themes. First, we examine where the EU stands compared to global competitors and what structural and technological strengths it can leverage, including in advancing digital partnerships. To this end, the session includes a brief presentation of CEPS’ mapping of EU dependencies and vulnerabilities in relation to global partners’ tech specialisations. Second, we discuss the EU Tech Business Offer; how the EU can curate a more concrete, competitive and scalable approach; and how this can translate into a credible global business proposition. Third, we explore how the EU can strengthen the appeal of its tech offer and digital cooperation tools globally, both within the framework of its International Digital Strategy and Global Gateway, including Member State engagement in the ‘Team Europe’ approach.