It is at the Techarena event in Solna that Ulf Kristersson is asked how he views the relationship between tech entrepreneurs and the US government and Elon Musk's dealings with US authorities.
The Prime Minister is diplomatic in his response. He says that there is a different tradition of links between companies and the government in the USA than in Sweden.
But I don't think you can treat the government, the public sector, and democracy like a startup, because it's not a startup.
There are lessons to be learned
According to Kristersson, there are lessons to be learned for politics from the tech industry when it comes to speed.
In a way, I think it's necessary. There is a tradition in politics of slowness. And there are times when you have to be slow and think things through carefully, but there are also times when you have to be fast, he says.
Ulf Kristersson also says that he does not like the "tough rhetoric" in world politics, but rather that it is better to cooperate friendly with one's neighbors.
It creates long-term relationships.
The cooperation we now have around the Baltic Sea, for example, is built on decades of trust and we will cherish it.
Too early
Ulf Kristersson is also asked on stage how trade tariffs and the geopolitical situation can affect Swedish companies. According to Kristersson, it is too early to say.
But one should not underestimate the risks.
He also emphasizes the importance of investing in the defense industry.
A few years ago, people said they only invest in sustainable industries, where the defense industry was excluded. That was a bad idea then and is an even worse idea today. Right now, defense technology is peace technology.
