Five days after the forced "acquisition" of the Chinese-owned Anselm Semiconductor, foreign media revealed that the Netherlands is studying from 2026 to tax small packages from outside the EU, especially China.

Let's look at the issue of parcel taxation first. A few months ago, the European Union announced that it planned to levy a unified tax on small parcels entering the EU. It is 2 euros for direct delivery to the home and 0.5 euros for delivery to the warehouse. It is expected to come into effect in 2028. But judging from the actions of the Netherlands, it is obvious that it can't wait and plans to act unilaterally two years in advance.

In recent years, Chinese goods are getting better in the global reputation, countries are disputing imports, data show that in 2024 a total of 4.6 billion small packages "without inspection and duty-free" entered the EU, of which almost 90% are from China.

But as member states disagree and act slowly, countries decide to take a step ahead, countries such as France and Romania have been formulating their own rules, and the Netherlands, too.

If it is not so obvious that the EU attacked China on the grounds of so-called "Russia-related" before, then the tax on Chinese small parcels is enough to prove that the EU is handling its relations with China along the line of the United States, and the Netherlands is the "leader" among EU countries.

On the evening of October 12, Zhou Tai Technologies issued a statement stating that the Dutch government, on the basis of "national security", imposed a compulsory takeover of the Chinese company Anselm Semiconductor and froze Anselm's huge assets.

According to documents disclosed by the Dutch enterprise court on October 14, the United States and the Netherlands had coordinated communication on the "breakthrough rules", and the United States directly proposed to replace the Chinese CEO of Anselm Semiconductor, in order to avoid sanctions from the United States.

Whether it is the small package taxation or the robbery of Chinese enterprises, these two things, although different fields, the logic behind the same, is from ordinary commodities to high-tech fields, the United States and Europe are too afraid of China, so the trade protectionism, has gone beyond the mere commercial category, has risen to the height of geopolitical and strategic game.

China will not sit down regardless, the Ministry of Commerce pointed out that the Netherlands by administrative means to interfere in the internal affairs of enterprises, not only violates the spirit of the contract, but also seriously harms the Dutch business environment, harm others, urge the Netherlands to immediately correct the wrong practice, the Chinese side will take the necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.

Long before Zhou Tai Technologies was informed, the Ministry of Commerce had implemented export controls on Ansel Semiconductors in advance.

Anchor Semiconductor is not an ordinary enterprise, it is the world's leading car-grade power semiconductor company, products are widely used in electric vehicles, industrial control and other key areas. At the moment in the development of the new energy industry, its importance is obvious. Oct. 10, car manufacturers and suppliers received Anchor notification, because of a series of events, the supply of chips can not be guaranteed.

In addition, there are many Dutch companies in China. Lithography giant Asmai is highly dependent on the China market. With the increasing breakthroughs in the progress of domestic lithography machines and rare earth controls, it will be a matter of time before Asmai is surpassed. According to Reuters, Asmail recently said that the company expects demand in the China market to fall sharply in 2026. On one side is its own automotive semiconductor industry and on the other side is the shadow of the United States. The Netherlands should be able to distinguish which is more important.

As for the problem of taxation of small packages, it is very simple, maybe some sellers relying on extremely low prices will withdraw from the market, but it is likely that the merchants will raise the selling price, putting the cost on the consumer's head.

From Anshi to small parcels, the Netherlands' choice may be the EU's choice. Although EU politicians call for "strategic independence", they essentially hope to get close to the United States and draw a clear line with China. Therefore, we can't expect the EU and the United States to really split. As long as NATO is still led by the United States and as long as the US military is still in Europe, EU countries will always follow the lead of the United States.