Key Summary
- Policymakers, industry leaders, and technical experts convened in Brussels for a summit hosted by the Global Electronics Association, concluding that Europe’s competitiveness requires a coordinated, whole-ecosystem approach across the entire electronics value chain, not just semiconductors.
- The path forward requires translating this growing strategic consensus into concrete, coordinated action across EU policies, investments, and partnerships.
On 23 June, 80 policymakers, industry leaders, and technical experts gathered in Brussels and reached an agreement: Europe’s competitiveness cannot be built by strengthening individual technologies in isolation. It requires a coordinated approach across the entire electronics value chain, from chips to systems.
Why This Matters
This “whole ecosystem” perspective shaped the day’s most important takeaways: The European Commission proposed its Chips Act 2.0 on June 3rd. Its extension to include printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronics manufacturing services (EMS), and suppliers will reshape Europe’s technological sovereignty for years to come. Industry has a vital opportunity now to ensure that the proposed approach is endorsed and ultimately adopted into funding programmes and electronics strategies also at the Member State level.
The summit, “Europe’s Electronics Industrial Strategy: Leadership or Independence”, was hosted by the Global Electronics Association, with support from TLT PCB and CalcuQuote. Representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, European Defence Agency, and the OECD joined companies from across the electronics ecosystem.
A Big Shift
In recent years, European industry policy for the electronics industry has focused on semiconductors. The Brussels discussions marked a clear evolution in thinking. As several speakers emphasized, semiconductors are only one piece of the puzzle. PCBs, EMS, equipment suppliers, and systems integration are equally critical and equally at risk.
In the words of MEP Eva Maydell, “If we get this right, Chips Act 2.0 won’t be remembered as a piece of legislation, but as the moment Europe chose to lead.”
The OECD reinforced the stakes: since the semiconductor shortages of 2020, policymakers have increasingly recognized that Europe’s competitiveness depends on the full electronics ecosystem and sustained collaboration between industry and government.
Clear Areas of Consensus Identified
Broader Scope of Chips Act 2.0
The proposed package would extend beyond semiconductors to connect chips with cloud infrastructure, AI, and end-use applications through a wider Technology Sovereignty Package. Participants welcomed the inclusion of the broader value chain, including PCB and EMS in the scope of the Chips Act 2.0
Defence and space resilience
- Rather than pursue complete self-sufficiency, to preserve critical manufacturing expertise, support SMEs and emerging technologies, and create predictable demand, all underpinned by a strong commercial electronics base.
AI and data centres
- Compete at scale in AI and data centres. Leading global players increasingly compete across integrated value chains rather than individual technologies. Europe needs an end-to-end industrial strategy to keep pace.
Automotive – Protect its supply chain
Against the backdrop of the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, sustain Europe’s automotive supply chain amid intensifying global competition.
The Path Forward
The summit revealed genuine and growing alignment on Europe’s industrial future. From Chips Act 2.0 to defence, AI, and automotive, every discussion pointed to the same conclusion: strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and technology sovereignty demands an integrated approach spanning the entire value chain.
The challenge ahead is turning that consensus into coordinated, concrete action across the EU—translating strategic ambition into the policies, investments, and partnerships that will secure Europe’s electronics future.
