Last July, Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma of Foreign Trade traveled to China for a trade mission. In an article published by Trouw on July 6, DSBP Consultants was asked for its view on the Dutch-Chinese trade relationship. We said the following:
“We benefit most from predictable policy, transparent communication, and practical cooperation. Even amid political disagreements, keeping communication channels open contributes to stability for companies in both countries.”
As a specialized consultancy firm for Dutch-Chinese trade relations, we closely follow developments between the two countries and have for years advised companies and governments on how to cooperate with China responsibly and effectively. ‘Should the Netherlands cooperate less with China?’ This is a question we hear increasingly more often, now that concepts like economic security and strategic autonomy dominate the debate. That’s understandable, but at the same time we must prevent nuance from disappearing. In the current debate, it can seem as if there are only two options left: naively opening up, or dismantling cooperation as much as possible.
The Netherlands doesn’t need a harder or softer, but above all a smarter China strategy. A strategy that assesses per sector where cooperation makes us stronger and where restraint is needed.
China is not a catch-all concept. The considerations around chip machines differ fundamentally from those around food security, water management, or battery technology. Whoever lumps everything together loses sight of both opportunities and strategic interests. A sector-specific approach is therefore necessary.
Dutch entrepreneurs’ interest in China has not disappeared. They don’t underestimate geopolitical risks, but also see that China remains a crucial sales market and source of innovation. Their question is not whether, but how they can cooperate responsibly. At the same time, the Dutch public knowledge infrastructure on China is now at risk of shrinking.
DSBP will again be organizing a trade mission to China this year for the Dutch floriculture sector. Not despite, but precisely because of the geopolitical complexity, since long-term relationships and trust in them are becoming more important. In Liyang (Jiangsu province), one of China’s most important battery clusters, DSBP is exploring cooperation with European parties at the request of the local government. This is relevant now that Europe is building its own battery value chain, provided this happens within clear frameworks regarding intellectual property and reciprocity.
Strategic autonomy begins with knowledge, not with distance. The strength of the Netherlands’ lies in knowledge, innovation, and international connections, from the Port of Rotterdam to the energy transition. It is therefore paradoxical that out of caution we are building up less China knowledge. What’s needed is not less, but more: more expertise within governments, more sector-specific analysis, more support for companies that want to do business internationally in a responsible way. Above all: more distinction between cooperation that makes us vulnerable and cooperation that makes us stronger.
Recent trade missions, including Sjoerdsma’s, and planned visits such as that of Prime Minister Jetten, show that the Netherlands is still searching for that balance. Rightly so. But the discussion should focus less on whether we cooperate with China, and more on how. Strategic autonomy doesn’t begin with taking distance. It begins with understanding.
