The return of European exceptionalism: the answer to the American empire
Whereas in 2024, investors were obsessed with the growth of American tech giants (the Magnificent 7 in particular) and AI (spearheaded by Nvidia, Palantir and AppLovin), 2025 reveals an unprecedented geopolitical reality. Donald Trump's election for a second term and his radical approach have accelerated a major turning point for Europe. The United States' withdrawal into itself and the Trump administration's clear desire to "reduce international commitments" have shaken up the world order and forced the European Union to reinforce its strategic autonomy.
Europe, which was once in a position of dependence on the United States, is now discovering a new vocation: the assertion of its economic, technological and military sovereignty. The concept of strategic autonomy, which began in the 1990s with the Saint-Malo Declaration, is now taking on decisive importance. The war in Ukraine, the fragility of Western alliances and the new protectionist stance of the United States have prompted Europe to rethink its position on the world stage. The spotlight is now on strengthening European defense, energy security and advanced technologies, with massive investments in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and defense.
European investment: a reason for optimism!
At the heart of this new paradigm, European investment represents a great opportunity. Europe is gearing up for major infrastructure and defense spending, driven by a colossal stimulus package, particularly in Germany. After years of fiscal austerity, the German government has announced a €500bn,
