POSITION | DIGITAL POLICY | INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL POLICY
EU International Digital Strategy BDI’s Recommendations for Shaping the EU’s Global Digital Role
21 May 2025 Executive Summary The global digital transformation is progressing at unprecedented speed and scale – increasingly shaped by geopolitical fault lines, fragmented regulatory regimes, and rising competition for technological leadership. In this context, the BDI welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to develop a coherent external digital agenda for the EU by issuing a “Joint Communication on an International Digital Strategy”. The EU must assert itself as a global digital actor – not only through regulation, but foremost through a strategic, value-driven and industry-oriented external digital policy. Additionally, the EU has to underpin such a strategy with the appropriate funding mechanisms providing unbureaucratic and efficient support to compete with the huge investment programs adopted by global competitors. From the perspective of German industry, international digital policy is not a peripheral issue but a key pillar of economic resilience, technological sovereignty, and long-term competitiveness. The EU must engage with international partners through strategic alliances, promote international standards and shape global digital governance – all while ensuring open markets, secure infrastructure, and resilient supply chains. To deliver on these goals, the EU’s approach must go beyond high-level declarations. The transatlantic Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has demonstrated both the potential and the limitations of digital diplomacy: numerous working groups and dialogues have been launched, but tangible outcomes remain limited. Thus, future cooperations should shift from policy announcement to policy delivery. Moreover, a closer involvement of key stakeholder groups, such as businesses and civil society, is crucial. This requires a clear prioritization of action, structured public-private collaboration, and a stronger link between the EU’s external digital agenda and its overall industrial competitiveness. In particular, the BDI recommends:
Geopolitical diversification of digital supply chains and partnerships, while fostering the traditionally strong transatlantic and intra-EU relations.
A focus on a reasonable technological sovereignty, including through initiatives like EuroStack, to reduce dependency on critical digital infrastructures and technologies.
The formation and deepening of strategic alliances with partner countries, grounded in shared principles and concrete cooperation.
An implementation-oriented governance model for international digital policy, involvement of private-sector actors, and better coordination across EU institutions and Member States.
The following pages outline concrete measures on AI, connectivity, cybersecurity and data. Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. | www.bdi.eu Philipp Schweikle | Senior Manager Digitalization and Innovation | P.Schweikle@bdi.eu