The Netherlands pushes new EU state aid tool to cut dangerous strategic dependencies

The Dutch government is pushing Brussels to create a new state aid mechanism that would allow targeted public funding for critical industries where Europe remains dangerously dependent on foreign suppliers. The proposal puts the Netherlands at the centre of a growing debate over economic security, industrial policy and strategic autonomy. But unlike countries calling for broader subsidy programmes, The Hague says support should be reserved for narrowly defined vulnerability gaps that threaten Europe's security and resilience.