In recent interviews and speeches, Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of Investor, has raised concerns about Europe’s competitive edge and ability to keep pace with the United States and other global economies.
Jacob Wallenberg is a prominent Swedish financier and businessman. He currently serves as the Chairman of Investor, a significant investment company controlled by the Wallenberg family. He is known for his influential role in Swedish and international business, with stakes in major corporations like ABB, Atlas Copco, and Ericsson through Investor.
He works for the arms industry through the Wallenberg family’s investment portfolio. One key example is their interest in Saab, a Swedish aerospace company. Saab manufactures fighter jets, naval systems, and ground combat vehicles.
Wallenberg pointed out that Europe suffers from a lack of ”disease insight” regarding its competitive challenges. He warns that the EU is losing ground to the USA, which he sees as a significant issue for European industry.
Wallenberg notes that the gap between the U.S. and Europe has grown over the last 15 years, attributing this to a lack of entrepreneurship and risk-taking in European culture compared to American culture.
Wallenberg highlights that the U.S. is more inclined to invest in research, development, and capital markets, contributing to its economic growth. He believes Europe must find new ways to foster innovation and competitiveness.
He believes in ensuring a robust innovation culture to meet future challenges. He underscored that security policy and economic competitiveness are intertwined and that Europe needs to bolster its positions in both areas to withstand global competitors.
He also mentioned the necessity of investing in new technology and infrastructure, which would benefit economic growth and contribute to security and defence.
Wallenberg’s warnings and calls to action come when Europe faces multiple challenges, including geopolitical tensions, economic recovery post-pandemic, and increased digitalization.
His message is clear: Europe must recognize its shortcomings and actively work to improve its competitive standing in the global market.
Sources and related
- NewsVoice: The Swedish Wallenberg Financial Family Embarks on Sixth Generation Transition
- E24: Wallenberg mener EU taper mot USA: – Har ingen sykdomsinnsikt
- Folk och Försvar: Block 10: Säkerhet, innovation och konkurrenskraft
- Svenskt Näringsliv: Wallenberg: Europa halkar efter – gapet mot USA växer
- Forbes: Don’t Use the War in Ukraine As An Excuse To Permanently Expand the Weapons Industry
- The Economist: War in Ukraine has triggered a boom in Europe’s defence industry