Technology has become the new battleground for global geopolitical rivalry. Regulation, sanctions, and investments now serve as instruments of raw power. Faced with a more interventionist America and an accelerating China, historically neutral Switzerland finds itself at a crossroads. Will it have to choose sides?
Published on April 10, 2026 at 14:54
The recent decision by the American administration to blacklist the artificial intelligence laboratory Anthropic has caused shockwaves. Officially, the measure cites a risk to the supply chain. In reality, it comes after a dispute over the use of its AI models for certain military applications. For Switzerland, the message is clear: even a leading technological partner is not safe from Washington’s wrath.
The Anthropic affair: Amodei vs. Trump CEO Dario Amodei attacks Washington. Anthropic filed a complaint against the Pentagon on March 9, 2026, after the termination of a $200 million contract and its blacklisting. The dispute centers on its refusal to cross two red lines, autonomous lethal targeting, and mass surveillance of American citizens. Donald Trump had decisive words on Truth Social: “Never will a ‘woke’ company dictate to our military how to win!”
A “cold technological war” For several specialists, this episode illustrates a deeper evolution. John Plassard from Cité Gestion speaks of a “cold technological war” where sanctions, export controls, and blacklists become instruments of power. Charles-Henry Monchau, CIO of Banque Syz, also believes that the case sets a precedent. Regulatory tools designed for foreign adversaries can now be used as leverage in political or commercial disputes, even within the western bloc.
Khaled Louhichi from Mirabaud Wealth Management notes that critical technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure are now at the heart of geopolitical competition, making technical neutrality increasingly illusory.
Fact Check: 85% of Swiss companies use American cloud infrastructures (Azure, AWS, Google), limiting sovereignty.
