The intensification of US isolationist policies—manifested through aggressive tariffs, foreign technology restrictions, and shifting diplomatic alignments—has brought the concept of sovereign cloud to the forefront of business risk discussions. The market for cloud services in Europe is dominated by services provided by US companies. While sovereign cloud strategies promise greater control over data and digital infrastructure, do they provide the capabilities that businesses need. Have European businesses become locked into US technology.
This presentation explores four key risks arising from the extraterritorial reach of US laws and executive authority, particularly in scenarios where the US government may override legal contracts.
In a world where geopolitical dynamics increasingly affect digital autonomy, this talk will assess how businesses outside the US can evaluate and mitigate these sovereignty-related risks. It will also consider the strategic imperatives for establishing multi-cloud, regionally aligned, or nationally controlled sovereign cloud frameworks to future-proof critical operations against geopolitical disruption.
