Guardians of the Chip: Dutch Intervention Sparks Global Trade Rethink
In recent months, there has been an intriguing and complex discourse surrounding the intervention of the Dutch government in corporate decisions within the semiconductor company Nexperia. This intervention highlights broader geopolitical tensions, reflections on free trade, national interest protections, and the intricacies of global economic interplay. At the center of this discussion is a rare invocation of a Dutch law, dating back to 1952, which allows the government to reverse corporate decisions if deemed detrimental to the national economy or technological sovereignty of the Netherlands and Europe. The concern stems from potential “knowledge leaks,” a term referencing the fear that Europe’s technological capacities could be compromised if sensitive expertise and intellectual property fall into the hands of foreign entities.