The European Union (EU) will assess whether semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biotechnology pose a risk to the bloc’s economic security.
This could lead to curbs on exports or investments in third countries, such as China.
The European Commission said on Tuesday that it had established a list of four technologies, as well as a further six to look into later, as part of the European Economic Security Strategy it unveiled in June.
The EU is concerned that these technologies could be used by foreign governments or companies to gain an unfair advantage in the global economy.
The EU is also concerned that these technologies could be used for malicious purposes, such as cyberwarfare or espionage.
The EU’s assessment will focus on the following:
- The importance of technology to the EU economy and security
- The vulnerability of the EU supply chain to technology
- The risk of foreign governments or companies using the technology to gain an unfair advantage or harm the EU
If the EU finds that a technology poses a risk to its economic security, it could take a number of measures, including:
- Restricting exports of technology
- Screening investments in technology from foreign companies
- Supporting the development of technology
The EU’s assessment of these key technologies is part of a broader effort to strengthen its economic security. The EU is also working to reduce its reliance on imported energy and to diversify its supply chains.