Library:
Paris Champerret
Madrid
London
Paris Montparnasse
Turin
This thesis investigates how leading European semiconductor firms: ASML, NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, and Infineon Technologies, are strategically adapting to a rapidly fragmenting global trade environment shaped by rising geopolitical tensions. It situates the semiconductor industry at the intersection of economics, technology, and security, drawing on academic literature, institutional reports, and expert interviews to explore how global shifts such as U.S.-China export controls, the COVID-19 pandemic, and evolving EU industrial policy, have reshaped corporate strategy.
The analysis is organized around a dual framework: first, a geopolitical and policy landscape review tracing the reconfiguration of semiconductor supply chains; second, a firm-level study assessing strategic responses in areas such as geographic diversification, capital expenditure, engagement with industrial policy, and export compliance. Quantitative data (2018–2024) on revenue exposure, R&D, and CAPEX is combined with qualitative insights from industry professionals to assess the effectiveness of these responses.
The findings highlight a nuanced and multi-speed adaptation: firms are not fully decoupling but rebalancing risks, leveraging public-private partnerships, and investing in technological sovereignty. The thesis argues that Europe’s semiconductor resilience will hinge not only on public funding or export control coordination but also on firms’ capacity to navigate interdependence, secure access to critical technologies, and influence evolving regulatory architectures.
