European nations are racing to lessen their reliance on U.S. technology in the face of an increasingly hostile Trump administration that commands the loyalty of most of Silicon Valley. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the “structural imperative” for Europe to “build a new form of independence.” But with a handful of U.S.-headquartered companies controlling most of the world’s cloud computing infrastructure, critics question whether digital sovereignty is a realistic goal. 

What did the commentators say? 
Talk of “technological ‘decoupling’ from the U.S. is hardly new,” said Sébastian Seibt at France 24, but President Donald Trump’s “aggressive rhetoric” toward his European allies and “open threats” to seize Greenland have created a “sudden sense of urgency.” If he asked Amazon, Google and Meta to “completely cut off European access to their services, our societies and economies would be completely disrupted,” Christophe Grosbost, of the Innovation Makers Alliance, said to the outlet. 

France wants to “guarantee the security and confidentiality of electronic communications by relying on a powerful and sovereign tool,” said David Amiel, a French junior minister for the civil service and state reform. So it’s preparing to phase out Zoom, Teams and other American video-conferencing platforms and will begin using its own open-source alternative, Visio, in 2027. 

France’s shift to Visio is largely “symbolic” but is still a “big step,” said internet governance expert Francesca Musiani to France 24. “At the very least, it signals a desire to reduce exposure to the American ecosystem as soon as a European alternative, however imperfect, becomes available.”

Europe’s “digital sovereignty paranoia” is now “feeding directly into procurement decisions,” said Steven Vaughan-Nichols at The Register. IT spending is being hiked, with a “big chunk” going into “sovereign cloud” options. This isn’t “just compliance theater; it’s a straight‑up national economic security play.” 

What next? 
We should prepare in case the U.S. pulls the plug on us, said Johan Linaker, a computer science professor at Sweden’s Lund University, at The Conversation. The scale and capabilities of Europe’s cloud-computing providers lag far behind those of their American rivals. For the continent to “meaningfully address the risks,” digital infrastructure “needs to be treated with the same seriousness as physical infrastructure” such as roads and power grids.

Even while many Americans struggle with the cost of living, a proposed tax on California’s wealthiest people is loaded with controversy. The proposal would see a one-time 5% tax levied on California residents whose net worth exceeds $1.1 billion. But the proposal, which could potentially be on the state’s ballot during the November midterms, has led to infighting within both political parties.

‘Reduce investments’
Opponents of the proposed billionaire tax argue that it would cause the ultrawealthy to flee the state, thereby eliminating economic growth in California. Billionaires and their allies are “blowing rhetorical gaskets,” claiming that the tax would “lead to the financial ruin of California, the obliteration of Silicon Valley, and possibly even the end of capitalism as we know it,” said Mariel Garza at The Boston Globe. 

While nearly all Republicans are against the tax, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a potential 2028 presidential contender for the Democrats, is also opposed. The billionaire tax will “reduce investments in education,” Newsom said to Bloomberg Businessweek. It will “reduce investments in teachers, librarians and child care.” It will “reduce investments in firefighting and police.

‘Billionaires aren’t going to flee’
Some say the billionaire tax is a good idea that wouldn’t incentivize most of the ultrawealthy to leave the state. People like Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have been “warning that a possible wealth tax would scare off more tech moguls like them,” said Yousef Baig at CalMatters. Business leaders like the Google co-founders “amass vast fortunes without paying taxes to begin with,” so “good riddance.”

Others reject the argument that wealth taxes are “doomed to fail because they have been repealed in many countries such as France, pointing instead to successful, sustained models in Switzerland and Spain,” said Nick Lichtenberg at Fortune. Even some who would be affected by the tax have no problem with it. 

“We chose to live in Silicon Valley, and whatever taxes I guess they would like to apply, so be it,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the world’s ninth-richest person, to Bloomberg. “I’m perfectly fine with it. I’ve got to tell you, I have not even thought about it once.”

A pangolin pup curls up at a rescue center in South Africa, after its mother was rescued from poachers but then died after giving birth. The image is among 24 shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award run by the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year in London.
Lance van de Vyver / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Imagine this: While everyone back home is bundling up and shoveling snow from their driveways, you are relaxing on a beach, soaking in the sun. Make it your reality by booking a getaway to one of these Caribbean resorts, where relaxing is the top agenda item and all that is cold is your drink.

Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort, St. Kitts
The “charming” cottages and villas are designed to nudge guests into slowing down, with features like private pools, outdoor tubs, showers and “sweeping” ocean views, said Travel and Leisure. Because of Belle Mont’s prime location, the sounds of nature — birds chirping, waves crashing — can be heard at all times. It offers a lively soundtrack during the day and a comforting lullaby at night.

The Inn at English Harbour, Antigua
With a maximum capacity of 62 guests, it's easy to pretend the intimate Inn at English Harbour is your private sanctuary. The “small but perfectly formed” estate is set against a “dramatic backdrop of turquoise waters and pink-hued Caribbean sunsets,” said Condé Nast Traveler, and you will want to spend hours walking the grounds.

Zemi Beach House, Anguilla
This “approachable yet luxurious” retreat (pictured above) sits on six acres of Shoal Bay East, one of Anguilla’s “most coveted” beaches, said Condé Nast Traveler. Its location is ideal for those who want to “unplug and lay out on the beach for a few days” while still having access to pools, a tennis court and the Thai house spa.