EU Member States Join Dutch-Led “Semicon Coalition” to Push for Revamped European Chips Act

All 27 European Union member states have joined a Dutch-led initiative to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor strategy, as momentum builds for a renewed “Chips Act 2.0” aimed at safeguarding critical technologies, accelerating approvals, and expanding semiconductor capacity across the bloc.

The Semicon Coalition, founded in March by the Netherlands alongside eight other EU countries, formally submitted its joint declaration to the European Commission today. The coalition now represents a unified front of EU governments, industry associations, and leading chipmakers calling for an update to the bloc’s semiconductor policy framework.

“Europe’s industrial strategy must evolve in response to growing geopolitical and technological competition,” said Vincent Karremans, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs. “By speaking with one voice, the EU is signaling its intent to secure a stronger, more resilient semiconductor ecosystem.”

The initiative has garnered strong support from SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, which co-signed the declaration along with more than 50 leading semiconductor companies, including ASML, Intel, Nvidia, STMicroelectronics, and Infineon.

A Call for a “Chips Act 2.0”

The coalition argues that Europe’s semiconductor strategy must move beyond its initial 20% global market share targetto focus on strategic depth—namely, securing advanced process technologies, building resilient supply chains, and developing Europe’s talent base and financing mechanisms for semiconductor innovation.

While the first EU Chips Act triggered a wave of investment, progress on attracting next-generation manufacturing remains limited, highlighted by Intel’s decision to scale back plans for a new mega-fab in Germany. Industry leaders now say a stronger, more flexible policy approach is needed to close gaps and sustain competitiveness against the United States and Asia.

The coalition is also urging the EU to establish a dedicated semiconductor budget, proposing a fourfold increase in spending to accelerate research, pilot lines, and advanced manufacturing.

Europe’s Global Position

According to the European Court of Auditors, Europe is projected to hold 11.7% of the global semiconductor value chain by 2030, up from 9.8% in 2022—a modest gain that underscores the need for a recalibrated industrial strategy to achieve long-term sovereignty in advanced chip technologies.

“A truly competitive Europe requires speed, scale, and strategic investment,” said Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI. “The Semicon Coalition’s unified approach sends a clear message: Europe intends not only to participate in the semiconductor race, but to help lead it.”