TOPIC

/ location

The Netherlands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on The Netherlands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Amsterdam

Head of State

King Willem-Alexander

Head of Government

Prime Minister Dick Schoof

Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. The initiative is America’s new vision for the international AI supply chain. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

US-China trade war

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

25 Dec 2025 - 1:05AMvideocam

China-EU relations

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

22 Dec 2025 - 11:26PMvideocam

Year in Review

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

22 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

India

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

22 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Representatives of the “Pax Silica” signatories hold signed documents at a summit held in Washington on December 12. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky demands justice as nations back Ukraine reparations; will Russia pay?

US$232 billion in frozen Russian assets are central to a new Hague-based commission managing Ukraine war damage claims.

16 Dec 2025 - 9:39PM

China-EU relations

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

16 Dec 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

Ukrainians hold placards during a protest demanding the use of frozen Russian assets, on the sidelines of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels, Belgium, December 12, 2025. Photo: EPA

Nexperia

Letters | The case for separating the Dutch and Chinese arms of Nexperia

Readers discuss the fight for control over the semiconductor company, the case of two skirt-wearing Malaysian women barred from entering a police station, and a potential ban on smoking at construction sites.

13 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Japan

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

12 Dec 2025 - 12:29AMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gestures as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech during their visit to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 28. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

Beijing urges Dutch government to push for China visit by Nexperia execs

China’s Ministry of Commerce says trip by Dutch chip firm’s management should be made ‘as soon as possible’ amid heated war of words.

11 Dec 2025 - 4:55PM

The corporate conflict between Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia and its Chinese owner Wingtech has lasted for several weeks. Photo: Shutterstock

China-EU relations

As I see it | How Nexperia became a casualty of the US-China trade war

Unless the two superpowers reach a long-term solution to trade tensions, smaller companies and economies will get caught in the crossfire.

10 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-EU relations

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

8 Dec 2025 - 8:58PM

China-EU relations

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:01PM

President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron are seen here at a Unesco World Heritage site in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province, on Friday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Dutch minister admits he was blindsided by China in Nexperia chip crisis

Karremans faces criticism after Beijing choked off chip flows and scrutiny of his move to invoke a Cold War-era security law.

6 Dec 2025 - 12:22AMvideocam

Vincent Karremans, the Dutch economy minister, in September. Photo: ANP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:21PM

Indonesia

Chinese executive named as suspect in Indonesia radioactive contamination probe

PT Peter Metal director Lin Jingzhang faces investigation after domestic scrap caused caesium-137 contamination and US export recalls.

5 Dec 2025 - 3:15AM

China-Latin America relations

Trump seizes on China ‘ban’ in Brazil soy trade, but data shows US gains small

China halted imports of soybeans from five Brazil-based exporters after pesticide-treated wheat was found mixed into cargo bound for Beijing.

3 Dec 2025 - 7:34AMvideocam

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday that US farmers are benefiting from China’s recent ban on select Brazilian soybean shipments. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

China manufacturing

Factory of factories: China’s manufacturers join wave of overseas expansions

With many of their clients moving or building sites abroad, China’s factory owners are following suit, seizing a ‘last chance’ for new revenues.

11 Dec 2025 - 11:20AMvideocam

The Philippines

Did Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s jailbreak ‘joke’ keep her dad in ICC detention?

Observers said the ruling may energise loyalists but is unlikely to sway undecided voters or ease the rivalry shaping Philippine politics.

1 Dec 2025 - 7:48PMvideocam

Semiconductors

Tensions flare as Wingtech slams chipmaker Nexperia’s head office over deception

The heightened tensions underscore the complexity in resolving the two sides’ dispute over the control of the Dutch chipmaker.

28 Nov 2025 - 10:27PM

Nexperia

China, EU shift Nexperia strategy: let the companies work it out

Wang Wentao shifts focus to the boardroom but warns the Dutch government must still scrap the executive order and court ruling fuelling the crisis.

27 Nov 2025 - 10:06PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports grow 17.5% in October as trade policy uncertainties ease

Value of goods exported from Hong Kong in October stood at HK$461.8 billion.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:40PM

Nexperia

Opinion | Netherlands’ Nexperia blunder shows it has forgotten its own history

The Netherlands’ pragmatic approach – separating commercial interests from geopolitical alignment – once made it a friend to all.

25 Nov 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Women and gender

Opinion | Together, we can move closer to eliminating violence against women

No jurisdiction is spared from gender-based violence. Thus international cooperation is essential to build momentum and find solutions.

25 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

Protesters display the names and ages of victims of femicide in Bordeaux, France on November 22, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Photo: AFP

Semiconductors

Wingtech says Nexperia’s headquarters remains silent on call for talks

In a statement, Wingtech reiterates its intention to fully regain its shareholder rights in the chipmaker.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:00PM

Nexperia’s factory in Dongguan, southern China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Reuters

My Take

My Take | How China goes toe to toe with the West and softly-softly with the rest

Beijing rarely claims altruism. It always wants something from you, but most of the time, its approach is pragmatic, respectful and usually beneficial.

23 Nov 2025 - 10:15PM

Britain

Hard-right UK politician jailed for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements

Nathan Gill, a former ally of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, is believed to have pocketed at least US$53,000 in bribes.

21 Nov 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

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The Netherlands

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

Trump administration aims for deeper technology cooperation on new AI infrastructure with allies.

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.

Zelensky demands justice as nations back Ukraine reparations; will Russia pay?

US$232 billion in frozen Russian assets are central to a new Hague-based commission managing Ukraine war damage claims.

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

Letters | The case for separating the Dutch and Chinese arms of Nexperia

Readers discuss the fight for control over the semiconductor company, the case of two skirt-wearing Malaysian women barred from entering a police station, and a potential ban on smoking at construction sites.

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

Beijing urges Dutch government to push for China visit by Nexperia execs

China’s Ministry of Commerce says trip by Dutch chip firm’s management should be made ‘as soon as possible’ amid heated war of words.

As I see it | How Nexperia became a casualty of the US-China trade war

Unless the two superpowers reach a long-term solution to trade tensions, smaller companies and economies will get caught in the crossfire.

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

Dutch minister admits he was blindsided by China in Nexperia chip crisis

Karremans faces criticism after Beijing choked off chip flows and scrutiny of his move to invoke a Cold War-era security law.

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

Chinese executive named as suspect in Indonesia radioactive contamination probe

PT Peter Metal director Lin Jingzhang faces investigation after domestic scrap caused caesium-137 contamination and US export recalls.

Trump seizes on China ‘ban’ in Brazil soy trade, but data shows US gains small

China halted imports of soybeans from five Brazil-based exporters after pesticide-treated wheat was found mixed into cargo bound for Beijing.

Factory of factories: China’s manufacturers join wave of overseas expansions

With many of their clients moving or building sites abroad, China’s factory owners are following suit, seizing a ‘last chance’ for new revenues.

Did Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s jailbreak ‘joke’ keep her dad in ICC detention?

Observers said the ruling may energise loyalists but is unlikely to sway undecided voters or ease the rivalry shaping Philippine politics.

Tensions flare as Wingtech slams chipmaker Nexperia’s head office over deception

The heightened tensions underscore the complexity in resolving the two sides’ dispute over the control of the Dutch chipmaker.

China, EU shift Nexperia strategy: let the companies work it out

Wang Wentao shifts focus to the boardroom but warns the Dutch government must still scrap the executive order and court ruling fuelling the crisis.

Hong Kong exports grow 17.5% in October as trade policy uncertainties ease

Value of goods exported from Hong Kong in October stood at HK$461.8 billion.

Opinion | Netherlands’ Nexperia blunder shows it has forgotten its own history

The Netherlands’ pragmatic approach – separating commercial interests from geopolitical alignment – once made it a friend to all.

Opinion | Together, we can move closer to eliminating violence against women

No jurisdiction is spared from gender-based violence. Thus international cooperation is essential to build momentum and find solutions.

Wingtech says Nexperia’s headquarters remains silent on call for talks

In a statement, Wingtech reiterates its intention to fully regain its shareholder rights in the chipmaker.

My Take | How China goes toe to toe with the West and softly-softly with the rest

Beijing rarely claims altruism. It always wants something from you, but most of the time, its approach is pragmatic, respectful and usually beneficial.

Hard-right UK politician jailed for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements

Nathan Gill, a former ally of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, is believed to have pocketed at least US$53,000 in bribes.

Explainer | Will US-led ‘Pax Silica’ be a new dawn for the international AI supply chain?

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel