US 'Tariff Bomb' Strengthens South Korea-Netherlands 'Semiconductor Alliance'... Supply Chain Information Exchange

South Korea and the Netherlands are promoting the 'Semiconductor Supply Chain Overseas Mission Early Warning System (EWS) Cooperation Project.' The second Trump administration is expected to announce semiconductor tariffs next week. As semiconductor and equipment manufacturers are also likely to be affected, countries engaged in the semiconductor industry are strengthening their solidarity.

(From left) Kim Heesang, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy Coordination at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Michiel Swiers, Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the '3rd Korea-Netherlands Economic Joint Committee' on the 16th (local time) in The Hague, Netherlands, and are taking a commemorative photo. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 17th, Kim Hee-sang, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy Coordination at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Michiel Swiers, Director-General of the Foreign Economic Relations Department of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in The Hague, Netherlands, the previous day (local time) and held the '3rd Korea-Netherlands Economic Joint Committee,' agreeing on this matter. Accordingly, the two countries plan to periodically exchange supply chain information related to semiconductors and critical minerals at major overseas missions, jointly identify potential threats to their semiconductor industries, and cooperate to stabilize the semiconductor supply chain.

The Netherlands is home to major semiconductor companies such as semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML, semiconductor device manufacturer ASM, and automotive semiconductor company NXP.

Director-General Kim said, "South Korea and the Netherlands maintain a close economic cooperation relationship centered on the semiconductor industry, and the two countries closely share strategic interests in the global supply chain," adding, "We look forward to significantly expanding cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as energy, infrastructure, and defense industry in the future."

Director-General Swiers said, "Cooperation with countries in similar positions, such as South Korea, is becoming increasingly important to respond to changes in the trade and economic security environment," and added, "We hope to further strengthen the stable cooperation foundation between the two countries."

This Economic Joint Committee served as an opportunity for South Korea and the Netherlands to review cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment, supply chains, energy, and infrastructure, and to discuss ways for continuous development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Amid increasing global supply chain uncertainties, by agreeing on cooperation for the semiconductor supply chain early warning system, closer coordination between the two countries is expected to ensure the stable supply and demand of semiconductors, which are essential items for our industry."