The Netherlands has become the second-largest European exporter of equipment vital for artificial intelligence development, according to trade credit insurer Atradius. Generating over €80 billion in AI-related exports, the country accounts for seven per cent of the global total and holds eleventh place worldwide, trailing only Germany within Europe.
ASML and logistics drive export power
This high position stems largely from semiconductor machine manufacturer ASML, which makes the Netherlands the world’s top exporter of chip-making machinery. The country also plays a key logistics role in re-exporting network equipment like routers and switches.
Geopolitical risks and Asian dominance
However, Atradius highlights that the global AI supply chain remains heavily concentrated, with Asian economies generating 65 per cent of all exports. The top fifteen exporting nations control up to 90 per cent of the global total, leaving Europe reliant on a handful of countries in Asia and the United States.
Atradius economist Theo Smid warned that rapid AI expansion leaves supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions. He urged Europe to reduce these dependencies by diversifying suppliers and investing heavily in domestic technological capabilities. In 2024, the global market for AI-related goods—including raw materials, processors, memory chips, and servers—reached over €2.9 trillion, roughly triple its value from a decade earlier.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
