Nokia's CEO says Europe and the U.S. must collaborate to stay competitive in tech, urging faster action to replace high-risk vendors.

Nokia CEO Justin Hotard stated on January 29, 2026, that Europe and the United States are mutually dependent in the global technology sector, emphasizing that major tech companies must operate across both regions to remain competitive. He stressed the need for broad market access, particularly in fast-evolving fields like 5G, as no company can succeed on just one continent. With Western governments reassessing security risks tied to Chinese tech vendors, Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson are positioning themselves as secure alternatives. The European Union is pushing to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, including from the U.S., while the U.S. lacks a major domestic telecom equipment provider, relying instead on Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung. Hotard welcomed EU efforts to phase out high-risk vendors from critical infrastructure but urged faster, binding action to support European tech champions.