When the Netherlands unilaterally restricted exports of advanced semiconductor equipment in 2023, it triggered an unexpected chain reaction across Brussels. By examining the contrasting playbooks of the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Lithuania, this article uncovers who actually shapes European technology policy—and delivers crucial lessons for the upcoming battle over AI hardware controls.

On February 11, 2026, the German Cabinet approved the German AI Draft Bill entitled ‘Gesetz zur Durchführung der Verordnung über künstliche Intelligenz’ (Law on the Implementation of the Regulation on Artificial Intelligence) to implement the EU AI Act in Germany. It regulates the national competent authorities, organises measures to promote innovation and the penalty regime, and specifies the amendments to be made to German law.

On February 16th, 2023, the First Senate of the Federal Constitutional Court arrived at the decision that Land Hesse’s and Hambourg’s legislation “authorising the police to process stored personal data through automated data analysis or automated data interpretation” is unconstitutional.

Initiated by France and Canada, the Partnership also includes Australia, the European Union, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.