Huawei Europe CEO confident in facing any Trump-era tech challenges

At an exclusive roundtable lunch in Davos this week, Kenneth Fredriksen, the CEO of Huawei Europe, spoke to Euronews Business about the return of Donald Trump to the White House and how the group plans to navigate any potential geopolitical tensions in the tech sector while contributing to Europe’s competitiveness.

Fredriksen noted how it had already been a turbulent period and as a result said the group is well prepared.

“I would say we are very well prepared. And I think what we would like to do is to kind of be an alternative to Europe in many ways. And of course, obviously continuing what we have been doing for the last two decades, contributing to Europe’s digitalisation and I think also help Europe to basically prepare for AI, become AI ready. AI is not just an application layer, it’s much more, you need to have the infrastructure from end to end in order to be able to realise the full potential of AI.

“A company like us with such a diversified technology portfolio, we have a lot to contribute with in terms of both the knowledge about what it means to be able to compete in AI and how to realise the functionalities and the potential of AI, and also how to, you know, be a good partner in the different layers of technology, basically,” he said.

Fredriksen also noted that Huawei has always seen Europe as a strategic market because of its innovative attitude and position.

“And we believe, you know, with open markets, well-regulated markets, it’s possible for for us to continue to contribute in a positive way. And that’s that’s basically what we will focus on.”

Addressing concerns around trust and security

As Europe seeks to enhance its digital sovereignty and leadership in critical technologies, the Huawei boss was asked about the role it can play in supporting this vision – and how it is addressing concerns around trust and security in such partnerships.

“I think our most important contribution is our competitiveness by being present in Europe. We will help European companies to maintain competitiveness because they will need to compete against us and we could be a good partner in different areas, helping them to be competitive as well. So I think that is a real important contribution because if you are not competitive in the technology industry, you’re not going to be sustainable. So that is extremely important.

“And when it comes to trust and security, obviously dialogue, communication is key. And I think unfortunately it’s been a very narrow discussion around security, cybersecurity and trust. And I believe by more understanding, better knowledge about what technology is really about and and how to balance security competitiveness and also trust in a more healthy and well thought through way, it’s possible to actually navigate through this in a more balanced way than we have seen so far,” Fredriksen added.

He also noted that from what he’d been hearing in Davos, during panels and discussions, there’s a feeling that people are realising the importance of having a better and deeper understanding of things to strike more balanced decisions.

“And I hope Europe will do that as well,” he said.

Watch the interview above.