Strengthening Sovereignty in the Era of Global Value Chains
How to reduce the vulnerabilities induced by these global value chains to be more independent, while taking into account the reality of these productive processes which precisely generate interdependencies?
The Covid-19 pandemic and several examples of shortages have revealed the fragility of certain supplies based on global value chains. These disruptions, together with certain foreign pressures, have thus awakened ambitions for independence and sovereignty in many countries.
At the same time, these same governments, as well as international bodies and many economists, continue promoting deeper international trade and the integration of value chains. Several trends indeed suggest that it is futile to bet on a possible "de-globalization" to strengthen national or European sovereignty.
Maintaining or strengthening sovereignty therefore requires finding a balance between the gains made possible by optimizing global value chains and the risks of dependence they generate. This study suggests ways to better control these risks and regain sovereignty: identifying and precisely mapping the value chains that underpin strategic capacities and functions; assessing the criticality of these value chains through the assets and supplies they mobilize, and defining plans for securing the most critical value chains; and articulating the role of the different actors: public and private, national and European.
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Strengthening Sovereignty in the Era of Global Value Chains
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Artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, space... Technology, especially in the digital domain, is now deeply affecting all human activities and, by extension, international relations. The resulting political, strategic, economic and social issues manifest themselves at multiple political scales involving states, international organizations and private companies. The dynamics of international competition and cooperation are transformed.
It is to respond to these challenges that Ifri is launching the Geopolitics of Technology program in the fall of 2020, which builds on the work it already carried out on these subjects for several years.
The program takes a resolutely European approach to international issues related to so-called critical technologies. Its work is organized around four cross-cutting themes:
- Power: redistributions of power caused by new technologies, in particular digital; military and dual innovations; transformations of international competition;
- Sovereignty: definition of critical infrastructures and technologies; industrial and innovation policies in strategic sectors; opportunities and risks associated with international value chains;
- Governance: ethical and legal issues; interactions between companies, states, international organizations and users; public-private partnerships and GovTech;
- Society: political and social impacts of technological innovations; risks and opportunities for the future of work, health, the fight against climate change; connectivity and economic development.
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