On the initiative of Dutch Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs), nine countries have agreed to strengthen the European semiconductor industry. The ministers of Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Spain have officially established the so-called Semicon Coalition today, March 12, 2025, in Brussels. The cooperation focuses on fostering innovation, expanding Europe’s role in different segments of the value chain, and accelerating the market introduction of new technologies.
Semiconductors are a fundamental component of nearly all business processes, devices, machines, and consumer products. Strengthening Europe’s position in this industry is not only an economic priority but also a strategic necessity to maintain prosperity and security, according to the nine countries. Enhanced cooperation will also help improve Europe’s autonomy, resilience, and economic competitiveness. The coalition will work towards its goals in collaboration with the European Commission, which was present at today’s launch event.
The coalition’s objectives include expanding production capacity within the EU and further strengthening Europe’s current global leaders in the semiconductor value chain. The initiative by these nine countries also aligns with the global increase in government investments in this sector. Currently, the EU Chips Act provides joint financing of €43 billion for the European semiconductor industry. Other large-scale international projects include the CHIPS & Science Act in the United States, The Big Fund in China, as well as significant investments in South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Therefore, the Semicon Coalition, together with the European Commission, will also explore long-term support mechanisms.
Source: Rijksoverheid