Аннотация: From the trade theory point of view, the more competitive and agile a company is, the better the exogenous shocks can be compensated. In view of these factors, a business-friendly climate should be created so that it could contribute both to maintaining and strengthening competitiveness. This research explains what is meant by the Gaia-X initiative, what challenges exist and shows how the project could strengthen the competitiveness of German and European companies. It also shows to what extent such a project can further promote European integration from a political perspective.