The Dutch government on June 30 announced new rules restricting exports of some advanced semiconductor equipment, a move that comes as the United States puts pressure on its allies to limit sales of high-tech components to China.
“We are taking this step in the interest of our national security,” Dutch Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher said, adding that the banned devices could have military applications.
Only a very limited number of companies and product models will be affected, and China is not being named, according to Schreinemacher.
The new rules are expected to take effect on September 1. By then, companies that make advanced chipmaking equipment will need to apply for a license before exporting.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte talks with US President Joe Biden on June 29, 2022. The Netherlands and the US have been engaged in negotiations on exporting advanced chip technology to China in recent times. Photo: Politico
The Dutch government's announcement follows a high-level agreement between the country, the United States and Japan, to tighten restrictions as Washington seeks to hamper Beijing's ability to produce its own chips.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has pressed allies to prevent China from further developing its own chip industry to make advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing and to boost its military capabilities.
While the measures do not specifically mention China or ASML, they are designed to restrict shipments of three ASML machine models to the Asian country, according to Bloomberg.
ASML is one of the most important links in the semiconductor supply chain, with a near monopoly on the machinery chipmakers need to produce the most advanced chips.
“We do not expect these measures to have a material impact on our financial outlook for 2023 or in the longer term,” ASML, Europe’s most valuable technology company, said in a statement on June 30. ASML also said it would comply with all export regulations imposed by the Dutch, US and EU authorities.
ASML is one of the most important links in the semiconductor supply chain because it holds the exclusive technology that creates the chips used in the most modern AI devices and weapons. Photo: ASML
ASML shares fell 2.4% to €652.70 at 10:13 a.m. in Amsterdam on June 30, after falling as much as 3.8% immediately after the news broke. The stock has risen about 30% so far this year.
The new Dutch measures are less stringent than those taken by the Biden administration last year to restrict exports of US-made machinery and know-how to Chinese chipmakers.
In October 2022, the US imposed export restrictions on shipments of US chipmaking tools to China from US companies such as Lam Research and Applied Materials on national security grounds, and lobbied other countries with key suppliers to do the same.
In January 2023, Dutch and Japanese officials agreed in principle to join the US campaign. The three countries are the world's leading suppliers of machinery and have the expertise needed to make the world's most advanced semiconductors.
Japan, home to chip equipment makers Nikon Corp and Tokyo Electron, has adopted rules restricting exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, scheduled to take effect on July 23 .
Nguyen Tuyet (According to Bloomberg, Reuters)
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