Tilted Balance to Security or Economy? A Comparative Study of National Security Review Mechanisms in the Netherlands and the United States

The Netherlands and the United States (US) stand as strong allies, united by a robust commitment to democratic norms and market principles that anchor a more open, fair, and market -led global economy. Their prosperity has been founded on free trade and investments. However, with the evolving dynamics in global geoeconomics and geopolitics in recent years, both nations have introduced or enhanced their national security review mechanisms. Given their shared attributes, this article compares the review mechanisms of the two countries and explores whether the new Dutch national security review system will mirror the regime of the US or introduce distinct innovations. It also explores the reasons behind each nation's different preferences regarding the balance between economy and security.