Google warns Europe: We deliver lot of value to you, and you are ...

Google’s top lawyer has a blunt message to European leaders: If you are building walls against foreign technology, the region is risking its own economic growth. According to a report by The Financial Times, Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs and chief legal officer, has warned of a “competitive paradox” in Brussels. As per the executive, he argued that the European Union (EU) is trying to spark a new wave of growth while simultaneously restricting tools like advanced AI and cloud computing.“We deliver a lot of value to Europe. Erecting walls that make it harder to use some of the best technology in the world, especially as it’s advancing so quickly, would actually be counter-productive,” he told the publication. The warning comes as Brussels steps up efforts to reduce its reliance on US tech giants.EU leaders on Thursday (February 12) gathered for a summit in Belgium. The event is focused on how to increase European competitiveness in a more volatile global economy.Walker urged a middle ground he calls “Open Digital Sovereignty.” Under this model, the company aims to strike partnerships with European firms. These partnerships will “allow local control, local storage of information, local ability to make sure that we are complying with European requirements”.Walker also expressed concern over the lack of international alignment. US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have already been ‘clashing’ over digital regulations. Walker said that in order to avoid further frictions, US companies work in partnership with European firms.“If we have 190 countries with 190 different rules, it’s very difficult to build software,” Walker said, while urging a “pragmatic, forward-looking approach,” especially on AI.He noted that Walker “regulatory friction” could deny European businesses the best digital tools during the most competitive technology transition in history.“The AI transition is the most competitive technology transition we’ve ever seen. The market is moving faster than the rules right now,” he told the publication.The Commission, which has several ongoing probes into Google, is in the final stage of talks with the company over investigations under its Digital Markets Act, which aims to level the playing field for smaller rivals. Walker said Google is “optimistic that we will be able to resolve those and address the concerns that have been raised, in ways that are still positive for the European economy and European consumers”.