Recap Transatlantic Tech Talk #2

What a whirlwind! 🌪️ Why the EU AI Act has the best timing and the trade war is here to stay: 

In our latest Transatlantic Tech Talk, Stephan Rihs and I broke down the fast, tactical, and disruptive opening weeks of the new U.S. administration, the EU's and markets’ reactions & what businesses and startups need to navigate it. Great to see viewers tuning in globally, from Silicon valley, to Harvard, London and beyond 👏 .

Key Takeaways

- Trump’s Second Term: More Strategic, More Aggressive

The administration had four years to prepare—and it shows. Unlike last time, policies are rolling out at speed, reshaping trade, tech, and economic priorities overnight. Tariffs are now a bargaining tool, not just a penalty. 

- DeepSeek & the EU AI Act: China’s DeepSeek AI is fast, powerful—and aligned with Beijing’s interests. Its compliance with censorship laws raises urgent questions: If an AI must follow state ideology as per Chinese AI regulation, can it be trusted?

👉 This is why the EU AI Act is now more important than ever. Critics once argued it was premature, but DeepSeek’s rapid rise shows how Europe’s trust-based AI framework could become a major commercial advantage.

✅ If you’re running an AI startup in Europe, your smartest move is to leverage the AI Act to position yourself as a transparent, censorship-free alternative to China’s AI dominance. Investors are already looking for AI models they can trust.

- Markets React: Uncertainty is the New Normal

Tech stocks dip amid fears of regulatory crackdowns. Industrials gain as tariffs shift supply chains. The AI sector watches cautiously, waiting to see how Europe and the U.S. will respond to China's aggressive AI expansion.

- A U.S. Lens on the Trade War

Trump’s economic strategy is clear: pressure, negotiate, win. But will it work this time? Unlike 2018, Europe and China have more leverage, new trade partners, and stronger internal markets. The real question: What will the counterpunch look like and when will inflation rise in the US?

- The U.S. is moving fast—can Europe move smart?

🎙 Watch the full episode here →

Transatlantic Tech Talk #2 - First Moves of 2025