The article 'Every data centre is a U.S. military base' explores how U.S. tech companies serve the country's geopolitical interests. It begins with U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over investigations into U.S. actions in Afghanistan and Israel. This move highlighted the vulnerability of European lawmakers and institutions reliant on U.S. tech services, especially after Khan lost access to his Microsoft email. The incident revealed how U.S. tech giants can act as a digital 'kill switch' for European governments.

This dependency extends to Canada, where the U.S. has effectively pressed for the rollback of tech regulations. Since April, planned AI regulations and the Online Harms bill have been shelved. This shift is partly due to pressure from U.S. tech executives, who have aligned with right-wing politics to push for favorable policies. The change in leadership within the Liberal Party, with Mark Carney replacing Justin Trudeau, has made the government more receptive to the demands of U.S. tech giants.

The article points out that this pressure is not new but has been increasingly visible under the Trump administration. The U.S. government has long used trade agreements, such as CUSMA, to limit foreign governments' ability to regulate its tech companies. This includes constraints on cross-border data flows and data storage requirements. The bipartisan support in the U.S. for protecting its tech industry ensures that other countries remain dependent on U.S. technology, enhancing American power and economic benefits.

Looking ahead, the article suggests that this dependency poses significant challenges for countries seeking to regulate the tech industry. The U.S. continues to leverage its tech dominance to influence global politics and economics. As countries reassess their relationships with the U.S., the need for digital sovereignty becomes increasingly urgent.