Netherlands' Tech Sovereignty: Strengths and Strategic Challenges
The Hague, Monday, 24 November 2025.
A new report unveils the Netherlands’ technological prowess and vulnerabilities, crucial for policymakers amid global geopolitical tensions.
Technological Prowess and Strategic Concerns
A recent analysis by TNO Vector and the Copernicus Institute of Utrecht University reveals significant insights into the Netherlands’ position in the global technology landscape. The study, employing a novel analytical framework based on patent citation data, highlights the country’s technological strengths and areas of vulnerability. This framework assesses the Netherlands’ knowledge export capabilities, foreign knowledge dependencies, and its position within global knowledge networks. The findings indicate that while the Netherlands is an active participant in international technology development, it remains more of a knowledge importer compared to technological giants like the United States and Japan [1].
Key Indicators of Technological Sovereignty
The analytical method provides five key indicators to measure technological sovereignty. These include the extent of knowledge export, the degree of dependency on foreign knowledge, the diversity of countries involved, institutional similarities, and the balance of knowledge import and export. This comprehensive approach underscores the Netherlands’ reliance on established knowledge networks, particularly connections with OECD and NATO countries, which provide a stable environment but also expose the nation to geopolitical risks [1].
Strategic Initiatives and Policy Implications
In response to these findings, the Netherlands has initiated strategic policies such as the National Technology Strategy (NTS), introduced in 2024 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate. This strategy focuses on enhancing the domestic knowledge base and reducing strategic dependencies by identifying ten key technologies crucial for the nation’s future security and economic prosperity. The NTS aims to position the Netherlands as a central player in these technologies, thereby strengthening its technological sovereignty [1].
Conclusion: Navigating Geopolitical Challenges
The report serves as a critical resource for Dutch policymakers and innovation leaders, offering a detailed map of areas where the Netherlands excels and where it must bolster its capabilities to maintain its strategic autonomy in a competitive global environment. As geopolitical tensions rise, particularly between major powers like the United States and China, the importance of technological independence cannot be overstated. The Netherlands’ approach to leveraging its strengths while addressing vulnerabilities will be vital in securing its position in the ever-evolving technological landscape [1].