European reductions, US investments – a strange week for Nokia

Nokia spent the week sending mixed signals about where it sees its future. The company confirmed further job cuts in Europe, including in Germany and France, even as politicians in those countries call for more home-grown, “sovereign” telecom infrastructure. At the same time, Nokia highlighted plans to increase its investments in the US market.

The split approach raises uncomfortable questions for European policymakers. While Brussels and major EU states argue for stronger local networks and technology suppliers, one of Europe’s flagship vendors is trimming staff at home and shifting focus to the US. The tension between political ambition for European-made infrastructure and the commercial pull of the US will likely sharpen as Nokia’s restructuring continues.