Exclusive Insight: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping Amidst Global Tech War and Trade Tensions

Beijing has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months, with leaders from around the world visiting to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. But not all meetings are created equal, and Xi’s busy schedule means that he doesn’t always have time to meet with every head of government that comes through his door.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is one of the lucky few who will get a chance to sit down with Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing. As an important trading partner and potential NATO Secretary General, Rutte’s visit holds significance for both China and the Netherlands.

But what makes Rutte’s visit particularly special is China’s dependence on a Dutch company, ASML, in the global technological race. ASML is the only producer of lithography systems used in semiconductor chip production, making it a valuable technology group in Europe. With tensions escalating between China and the US over semiconductor industry dominance, Rutte’s visit could hold strategic importance for both countries.

During their meeting, Xi Jinping is likely to criticize Rutte’s decision to join the embargo on ASML’s export to China. He may emphasize China’s right to progress technologically and hint at the country’s determination to advance despite limitations. But despite these challenges, China is willing to negotiate with the Dutch government to maintain repair services for ASML machines already in China.

The outcome of this meeting could impact the trajectory of global semiconductor industry dynamics and geopolitical relations between China and other countries. It will be interesting to see how Xi Jinping navigates these complex issues and balances China’s need for technological development with its relationships with other world powers.