The Opinion

by Cristina Rodrigues, Managing Director at Capgemini Portugal

The New Reindustrialization: A Strategic Opportunity to Strengthen the Transatlantic Alliance

Reindustrialization is no longer an emerging trend; it has become a strategic priority for companies and governments in Europe and the United States. In a context of growing geopolitical instability, vulnerabilities in supply chains and pressure to accelerate the energy transition, reindustrialization represents a pragmatic and visionary response to the challenges of the 21st century.

The latest report from the Capgemini Research Institute, The Resurgence of Manufacturing | Reindustrialization strategies in Europe and the US – 2025, reveals that 66% of business leaders are implementing or developing a reindustrialization strategy. This movement is driven by factors such as the need for proximity to customers, the reduction of logistical risks, diversification away from dependence on China and, above all, the urgency to reinforce industrial and energy sovereignty.

Within this new paradigm, the relationship between the United States and Europe plays a central role that should prevail beyond political cycles. The convergence of interests in strategic industrial areas such as semiconductors, batteries, clean/green energy and advanced technologies arises as an opportunity to foster a new dynamic of industrial cooperation. The adoption of models such as friendshoring, which prioritizes strengthening relations with allied countries for production and sourcing of raw materials, is a clear reflection of this strategic alignment, alongside other recent trends related to onshoring, reshoring and nearshoring. The Capgemini study shows that 73% of executives believe that friendshoring will be a significant component of their operations in the coming years.

This new paradigm of reindustrialization, beyond being a matter of geographic location, above all embodies a technological, cultural and geopolitical transformation. The digitalization of factories, the use of artificial intelligence, digital twins and advanced automation are enabling efficiency gains of more than 20% and significantly reducing operating costs. According to the same study, more than 84% of organizations plan to invest in technology to accelerate this transition.

Portugal, as a member of multilateral organizations such as the European Union and NATO, with strong ties to the United States, occupies a strategic position to benefit from this new wave of multisectoral industrial development, with particular potential in clusters such as aerospace, space and defense, or even the blue economy, namely in the energy sector or in rare mineral exploration. The country’s ability to attract investment, the quality of our engineering and the commitment to sustainability are strategic assets that can be leveraged through transatlantic partnerships.

As leaders we must commit to promoting the building of a more inclusive, green and competitive economy. In this context, the reindustrialization process is, in itself, also an opportunity to redefine the role of industry in society, to promote circularity and to invest in the skilled talent of the new generations. The Capgemini study highlights that 73% of senior executives believe that reindustrialization will be a catalyst for greener production practices – a vision that we share and actively promote within our company.

At a time when the world is facing multiple transitions (technological/digital, energy, geopolitical), reindustrialization emerges as a strategic lever to reinforce the competitiveness, security and sustainability of Western economies. The alliance between the United States and Europe, based on common values and shared objectives, brings together the conditions to be the driving force of this new resilient industrial era in the face of challenging times in the international landscape.

The industry of the future will be born from the convergence between technology, innovation and sustainability. At Capgemini, our commitment is clear: to lead this transformation and support our clients and partners in building ecosystems that innovate, adapt and generate new value for the economy.