Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma visits China to boost trade ties

Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma led a three‑day trade mission to Beijing and Shanghai from July 7‑9, the first visit by a Dutch trade minister to China since 2018. Accompanied by a delegation of 17 Dutch firms from logistics, agriculture and high‑tech sectors, he met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to discuss ways to deepen bilateral commerce and address outstanding concerns.

The talks focused on two high‑profile technology issues. Sjoerdsma said the Netherlands and China are cooperating closely to resolve a dispute between chipmaker Nexperia and its Chinese parent Wingtech over control and governance. He also addressed pressure from the United States, where the proposed MATCH Act seeks to further restrict exports of advanced semiconductor equipment, including ASML’s deep‑ultraviolet lithography tools, to China. The Dutch side reiterated its strict export‑control regime while defending ASML’s compliance.

Sjoerdsma, who was placed on a Chinese sanctions list in 2021 over remarks on human‑rights issues, noted the visit aims to reset relations after a period of friction, restore confidence for Dutch businesses operating in China, and discuss broader trade imbalances between the EU and China.