The newly appointed Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, has stated that the Dutch government must be “extra careful” when dealing with national security issues involving the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This caution arises from concerns over sensitive chip-making equipment export.
Schoof was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands on Tuesday evening. During an interview with Bloomberg, he emphasized the need to exercise caution when engaging with China on national security matters. He highlighted the importance of vigilance on both the eastern borders of Europe and in interactions with China.
Schoof’s appointment as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands comes under the leadership of the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders. Wilders won a landslide victory in last November’s election but chose to forgo running for Prime Minister to facilitate negotiations.
The coalition comprising the PVV, People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), “New Social Contract” (NSC), and “Farmers’ Citizen Movement” (BBB) appointed Schoof, a non-partisan figure and former intelligence agency chief, to lead the new government.
Drawing on his experience as a former head of the intelligence agency, Schoof is well-versed in the threats posed by Chinese cyber hackers. In a yearly report submitted to the Dutch government in April 2019, the Dutch Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) recommended against using technology and equipment from countries like China and Russia, known for frequent cyber-attacks on the Netherlands. AIVD further warned that digital espionage attempts from China and Russia posed significant cybersecurity threats.
Schoof addressed economic interests’ implications on national security at the Rotterdam Transformation Forum in November 2019, particularly concerning China. He noted a shift towards foreign interference and espionage activities by the CCP, highlighting the evolving threat landscape.
In contrast, he emphasized the United States as a trustworthy partner, stating to Bloomberg, “The U.S. is a trusted partner for us, and our partnership is crucial.”
The Netherlands has historically been an important ally of the United States. As the U.S. restricts China’s access to chip technology, the Netherlands has also limited domestic chip equipment manufacturer ASML Holding NV from exporting advanced lithography machines to Beijing to counter China’s semiconductor ambitions.
AIVD previously cautioned that China weakens the Netherlands’ profitability by stealing Dutch trade secrets. ASML, as one of the world’s most critical semiconductor companies, has accused China of intellectual property theft multiple times.
In 2019, a U.S. court ruled that Xtal, a subsidiary of Epiroc, had stolen ASML’s commercial secrets, ordering the Chinese company to pay $845 million in damages to the Dutch firm. Xtal is considered one of China’s most promising tech enterprises by the CCP.
Speaking at the Rotterdam Transformation Forum in 2019, Schoof stressed the need to address the fundamental difference in values between China and the Netherlands or the western world. He emphasized the necessity of a political approach to manage this discrepancy.
The new government led by Schoof, with Wilders and his allies’ mandate, aims to significantly reduce immigration. Its objective includes invoking emergency legislation to restrict immigration inflows and seeking an overhaul of EU immigration policies.
When questioned about his priorities, Schoof highlighted the Dutch electorate’s desire to reduce immigration and increase housing. He emphasized that these topics would be crucial considerations in their planned discussions.
Schoof succeeded Mark Rutte as the Netherlands’ longest-serving Prime Minister, who is set to assume office as Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) later this year.
Expressing firm support for NATO, Schoof announced plans to attend the NATO summit in the U.S. next week.
According to Reuters, Schoof assured Ukrainian President Zelensky over the phone on Wednesday of the Netherlands’ continued support for Ukraine.
On social media platformX, Schoof affirmed Dutch’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the commitment to assist in political, military, and financial aspects to counter Russian aggression.
In response, Zelensky expressed appreciation for the support and arranged a meeting to advance their partnership. He mentioned Ukraine’s reliance on the Netherlands to expand F-16 fighter jet training for Ukrainian pilots.
The Dutch government previously provided F-16 fighter jets to a training facility in Romania where Ukrainian pilots and ground crew are learning how to operate and maintain the aircraft in combat.
The Netherlands advocates for an international coalition to supply F-16 fighters to Ukraine to bolster its air defense capabilities. The outgoing Dutch government announced on Monday its intention to swiftly deliver the first batch of the committed 24 fighter jets.