184: Chapter 184 Online Emergency Summit

11:00 PM, Paris time.

The strategic conference room on the third basement level of the Élysée Palace is usually only used for national security-level meetings. Tonight, French President Emmanuel Leclerc summoned the Ambassadors of Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands to France here.

The room is not large, fifty square meters, with walls shielded by lead plates to ensure that no electronic signals can leak out. On the long table, there are five secure telephones, connecting directly to the offices of the heads of state of each country.

Leclerc, sixty-two, a former Minister of Economy, is known for being pragmatic and tough. He is wearing a dark blue suit, no tie, and in front of him lies a newly declassified diplomatic document from America.

"Gentlemen, time is tight, so I'll be direct." Leclerc spoke, his French accented with a Marseille twang. "Washington has given us an ultimatum: within 72 hours, Europe must make a choice—America's Electronic Design Automation tool, or China's Electronic Design Automation tool. Choose America, the ban is lifted, and everything proceeds as normal. Choose China, and secondary sanctions will be launched immediately."

The German Ambassador, Hans-Peter, frowned: "What do you mean by secondary sanctions?"

"All chips designed using the Electronic Design Automation tool are prohibited from entering the American market. All European companies cooperating with Spark are prohibited from obtaining American technology export licenses. The harshest clause—" Leclerc read the original text, "'will re-evaluate defense commitments to Europe, including but not limited to the applicability of Article 5 of NATO'."

Article 5: NATO's collective defense principle. An attack on one member state is considered an attack on all.

The secret room was deathly silent.

The Italian Ambassador wiped his sweat: "This... this is asking us to choose between geopolitics and industrial security."

"More than that." The Spanish Ambassador's voice was dry, "It's also choosing between America's military protection and China's technology cooperation."

Leclerc stood up and walked to the wall. A map of Europe hung there, from Lisbon to Moscow.

"A hundred years ago, Americans came to Europe to help us win World War I. They were called 'saviors'." The President said slowly, "Seventy years ago, the Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe, and we thanked them. But gratitude is not a permanent debt."

He turned around, his eyes sharp.

"Today, America uses chip tools to choke us and uses military protection as a bargaining chip. Gentlemen, this is not what an ally should do—this is how a suzerain treats a colony."

"But China..." The Dutch Ambassador hesitated, "Are they really trustworthy? Their system is completely different from ours."

"I don't trust any country." Leclerc said bluntly, "But I trust interests. China needs Europe's market and technical standards, and Europe needs China's manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing market. This is equal cooperation. But America—they only need Europe's obedience."

He returned to his seat and pulled up another report.

"The Ministry of Economy has run simulations: if we lean completely towards America, within three years, the European semiconductor industry will completely lose its autonomy and be reduced to the low-end link of American design, Asian manufacturing, and European assembly. If we choose Spark, there will be short-term pain, but in five years, we will possess completely autonomous chip design capabilities."

The report shows:

Option A (America): 2024 Electronic Design Automation tool costs reduced by 30%, but after 2027, completely dependent on America, with the risk of being cut off at any time.

Option B (Spark): 2024 Electronic Design Automation tool costs increase by 50% (transition period), but break even by 2025, and after 2026 costs are lower than America's, and it is completely autonomous.

"More importantly," Leclerc emphasized, "Spark has agreed to establish an R&D center in the European Union, share technology, and cross-license patents. This means that Europe can not only use the Electronic Design Automation tool but also participate in the research and development of next-generation tools."

He paused, scanning the four Ambassadors.

"Gentlemen, I called you here tonight not to ask for opinions, but to convey a decision. France has decided: to switch completely to the Shennong platform and decouple from the American Electronic Design Automation tool."

The German Ambassador widened his eyes: "A unilateral decision? Without consulting the European Union?"

"Didn't Germany also make a similar decision on the Infineon board of directors?" Leclerc smiled, "Ambassador Hans-Peter, I received a secret telegram from Chairman Karl. The German Minister of Economy will make a public statement in an hour."

The room was quiet again.

The antique clock on the wall ticked, each second like a hammer striking the heart.

"I need to seek instructions from Rome." The Italian Ambassador said.

"Madrid as well."

"Amsterdam..."

"You have half an hour." Leclerc pressed the timer, "Half an hour later, a five-nation online emergency summit. I want a unified answer."

February 11, 3:00 AM.

Five encrypted video windows lit up simultaneously:

Paris: French President Leclerc

Berlin: German Minister of Economy Olaf

Rome: Italian Minister of Industry Maria

Madrid: Spanish Minister of Economy Carlos

Amsterdam: Dutch Prime Minister Mark

Everyone had thick documents in front of them, and everyone's eyes were bloodshot.

"Everyone, this is a historic moment for the European semiconductor industry." Leclerc opened as the convener, "Let me report first: France has decided to switch comprehensively to the Spark Shennong platform and launch a 20-billion-euro 'European chip Autonomy Fund'."

German Minister of Economy Olaf nodded: "The German parliament passed a similar resolution two hours ago. We have evaluated: the Shennong platform has met the standards for 14nm design, and the 7nm module will be completed within three months. Short-term pain, long-term autonomy."

Italian Minister of Industry Maria is a forty-year-old strong woman, speaking directly: "Our Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini cannot wait a year! America gives us old versions, with 30% worse performance, meaning our new car launches are delayed by at least six months—a loss of over five billion euros."

Spain's Carlos said in a heavy voice: "The American Ambassador just threatened me directly: if we choose Spark, they will re-evaluate our F-16 upgrade plan. Our Air Force is still waiting for that batch of new radars."

"We also received similar threats." Dutch Prime Minister Mark smiled bitterly, "America said if we continue to cooperate with Spark, they will reconsider the semiconductor equipment export license in the Netherlands—ASML is right here with us."

The pressure was like a mountain.

Leclerc listened quietly, and only after everyone had finished speaking did he speak.

"A hundred years ago, Europe declined because of division. World War I, World War II, we slaughtered each other, letting America rise as a superpower." The President's voice was exceptionally clear on the encrypted line, "Today, we face a choice again: continue to be divided and beg Washington separately, or unite and walk our own path?"

He pulled up a historical photo: In 1951, six countries—France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg—signed the "Treaty of Paris", establishing the European Coal and Steel Community—the predecessor of the European Union.

"Our predecessors chose unity amidst the ruins. Today, can we choose division amidst prosperity?"

Silence.

Five minutes of silence. In the video windows, everyone was struggling.

Olaf was the first to break the silence: "Germany... agrees. We will collectively switch to the Shennong platform and establish the Euro-Asian Semiconductor Design Alliance."

Maria gritted her teeth: "Italy agrees. The Americans are too arrogant; it's time to let them know that Europe is not a vassal."

Carlos took a deep breath: "Spain agrees. As for the F-16... we can discuss the 'Rafale' fighter jet with France."

Mark nodded last: "The Netherlands agrees. We can upgrade ASML's technology ourselves; isn't it just spending a bit more money?"

Leclerc smiled, his first smile of the night.

"Good. Then let's give the world a surprise."