China and the Netherlands, which have been experiencing friction over issues such as semiconductors, held a trade ministers' meeting in Beijing on July 7 to discuss the semiconductor conflict, which is naturally the biggest pending issue between the two nations.

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Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma hold the 18th meeting of the China-Netherlands Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Affairs in Beijing on July 7 to discuss the semiconductor conflict between the two nations. / Courtesy of Xinhua News Agency via Yonhap News

According to Beijing diplomatic sources familiar with bilateral relations on July 8, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, in Beijing the previous day to co-chair the 18th meeting of the China-Netherlands Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Affairs.

During the meeting, Wang expressed the Chinese Ministry of Commerce's willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Netherlands in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, science and technological innovation, green transition, and modern services. He stated his hope that the Netherlands would provide a fair and predictable environment for Chinese companies investing and operating within its borders. Wang also emphasized his desire for the Netherlands to maintain stability in the semiconductor industry and its supply chains, while pushing for an amicable resolution to disputes involving relevant companies.

In response, Minister Sjoerdsma noted that both the Dutch government and its business sector place a high value on cooperation with China, adding that the two nations have built a healthy and stable economic and trade relationship over the past several decades.

Sources reported that following the talks, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a China-Netherlands Entrepreneurs Committee. The signing ceremony was reportedly attended by around 30 business representatives from both countries.

Sjoerdsma is currently on a three-day visit to China from July 7 to 9. This marks the first visit by a Dutch trade minister to China in eight years, with the last one taking place in 2018.

The visit comes amid ongoing trade friction between the two nations over export controls on ASML’s semiconductor manufacturing equipment and the case of Nexperia, a Dutch automotive chipmaker that was acquired by a Chinese company. Commenting on the issue after the meeting, Sjoerdsma reportedly characterized the talks as frank and forward-looking, adding that he believes both sides want to move past a prior period marked by significant friction and challenges.

According to sources, Sjoerdsma was accompanied on his trip by 17 Dutch corporate executives, including the head of ASML. On the other hand, representatives from Nexperia—which, along with ASML, sits at the center of the trade tensions between the Netherlands and China—were reportedly absent from the delegation. Observers suggest there is a strong possibility that the company was excluded due to pressure from China.

                                                                                                          Hong Soon-do