BEIJING (Reuters) – China expresses its dissatisfaction with the Dutch government’s recent decision to expand export controls on ASML chipmaking equipment, as stated by the Chinese commerce ministry on Sunday.
The Dutch government announced on Friday that it will be imposing stricter export licensing requirements for ASML’s 1970i and 1980i DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) immersion lithography tools, following the lead of the United States in imposing export restrictions on these machines last year.
China has been critical of the United States’ approach of pressuring allies like the Netherlands and Japan to participate in export controls aimed at limiting Chinese access to advanced chips and chipmaking equipment.
“In recent years, the United States has been pressuring certain countries to tighten export control measures for semiconductors and related equipment in order to maintain its global dominance. China strongly opposes this,” the Chinese commerce ministry stated in response to the Dutch government’s announcement.
The ministry emphasized that the Dutch government should refrain from misusing export controls, avoid actions that could harm Sino-Dutch cooperation in the semiconductor industry, and protect the mutual interests of Chinese and Dutch businesses.
ASML, the largest supplier of chipmaking equipment globally, has been prevented from exporting its most advanced lithography systems to China due to lobbying efforts by the United States.
Dutch Trade Minister Reinette Klever justified the decision by stating that it was made “for our safety.”
(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Sonali Paul)