Europe needs fast, focused tech industry policy, Dutch minister says
Europe needs to rapidly and assertively support crucial technology sectors due to US-China trade tensions, according to the Dutch economic affairs minister, Micky Adriaansens. The Netherlands is focusing its industrial tech policy on protecting and promoting key technologies, notably semiconductors, with Dutch company ASML being a significant player. The European Chips Act aims to counter US and Chinese chip subsidy programs but has only approved French government support for STMicroelectronics to build a factory in Crolles, France. Plans by Intel and TSMC to build plants in Germany are pending European Union approval. Adriaansens emphasized the need for Europe to act more swiftly in executing its tech strategies and highlighted the challenges the Netherlands faces as a small trading nation. The Dutch government has supported US efforts to limit ASML’s exports to China and has introduced security vetting for foreign tech investments, though Adriaansens cautioned against further isolating China technologically.