Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Open to Debate, in partnership with Bloomberg, is taking a closer look at a region that is strategizing its best move to become a competitor in the war for AI chip development: Europe. Semiconductors power our modern world, from AI models and smartphones to defense systems and electric vehicles, with control over chip supply chains now seen as a linchpin of power. Currently, the U.S. and China dominate the semiconductor race — America with capital, Silicon Valley culture, and trade restrictions, and China with resources and talent. Europe is often seen as hampered by regulation, labor laws, and limited venture capital. Yet with a near-monopoly on lithography and rising demand for tech sovereignty, Europe may be better positioned than many think. Can it catch up — or is Europe too late to compete in the chip wars?
This debate was created in partnership with Bloomberg as part of the "Bloomberg Tech" conference. It was recorded on October 20, 2025 at 6 PM BST in London, UK.
Arguing "Too Late":
Zach Meyers, Director of Research at the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE)
Geoffrey Gertz, Former Director for International Economics at the White House; Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security
Arguing "Not Too Late:
Cristina Caffarra, Economist & Co-founder of EuroStack
Eric Baissus, CEO of Kalray
Caroline Hyde, Bloomberg Television Anchor and Host of “Bloomberg Technology”, is the guest moderator.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on our curated weekly debates, dynamic live events, and educational initiatives.
#europe #chip #tech
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
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00:00:00 — Introduction: Is Europe Too Late to Compete in the Chip War?
00:02:52 — Opening Statement: Zach Meyers (Yes, Europe Is Too Late to Compete)
00:07:15 — Opening Statement: Eric Baissus (No, Europe Is Not Too Late to Compete)
00:11:33 — Opening Statement: Geoffrey Gertz (Yes, Europe Is Too Late to Compete)
00:16:03 — Opening Statement: Cristina Caffarra (No, Europe Is Not Too Late to Compete)
00:21:04 — Moderator Summary
00:23:21 — Does Europe Need Digital Sovereignty in Chips?
00:34:52 — How Much of the Global Chip Market Does Europe Need?
00:37:49 — Chips vs Defense: What Is the Opportunity Cost?
00:39:35 — Can Regulation and Incentives Drive European Chip Growth?
00:49:43 — Can Europe Act as One Economic Power?
00:54:40 — Should Europe Build Its Own Chips or Rely on Foreign Manufacturers?
00:59:22 — Closing Statement: Zach Meyers
01:00:54 — Closing Statement: Eric Baissus
01:02:37 — Closing Statement: Geoffrey Gertz
01:04:16 — Closing Statement: Cristina Caffarra
01:06:06 — Voting and Final Thoughts
01:09:19 — Voting Results
Open to Debate, in partnership with Bloomberg, is taking a closer look at a region that is strategizing its best move to become a competitor in the war for AI chip development: Europe. Semiconductors power our modern world, from AI models and smartphones to defense systems and electric vehicles, with control over chip supply chains now seen as a linchpin of power. Currently, the U.S. and China dominate the semiconductor race — America with capital, Silicon Valley culture, and trade restrictions, and China with resources and talent. Europe is often seen as hampered by regulation, labor laws, and limited venture capital. Yet with a near-monopoly on lithography and rising demand for tech sovereignty, Europe may be better positioned than many think. Can it catch up — or is Europe too late to compete in the chip wars?
This debate was created in partnership with Bloomberg as part of the "Bloomberg Tech" conference. It was recorded on October 20, 2025 at 6 PM BST in London, UK.
Arguing "Too Late":
Zach Meyers, Director of Research at the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE)
Geoffrey Gertz, Former Director for International Economics at the White House; Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security
Arguing "Not Too Late:
Cristina Caffarra, Economist & Co-founder of EuroStack
Eric Baissus, CEO of Kalray
Caroline Hyde, Bloomberg Television Anchor and Host of “Bloomberg Technology”, is the guest moderator.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on our curated weekly debates, dynamic live events, and educational initiatives.
#europe #chip #tech
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Is Europe Too Late to Compete in the Chip War?
00:02:52 — Opening Statement: Zach Meyers (Yes, Europe Is Too Late to Compete)
00:07:15 — Opening Statement: Eric Baissus (No, Europe Is Not Too Late to Compete)
00:11:33 — Opening Statement: Geoffrey Gertz (Yes, Europe Is Too Late to Compete)
00:16:03 — Opening Statement: Cristina Caffarra (No, Europe Is Not Too Late to Compete)
00:21:04 — Moderator Summary
00:23:21 — Does Europe Need Digital Sovereignty in Chips?
00:34:52 — How Much of the Global Chip Market Does Europe Need?
00:37:49 — Chips vs Defense: What Is the Opportunity Cost?
00:39:35 — Can Regulation and Incentives Drive European Chip Growth?
00:49:43 — Can Europe Act as One Economic Power?
00:54:40 — Should Europe Build Its Own Chips or Rely on Foreign Manufacturers?
00:59:22 — Closing Statement: Zach Meyers
01:00:54 — Closing Statement: Eric Baissus
01:02:37 — Closing Statement: Geoffrey Gertz
01:04:16 — Closing Statement: Cristina Caffarra
01:06:06 — Voting and Final Thoughts
01:09:19 — Voting Results
