Netherlands to restrict exports of chip manufacturing equipment under pressure from the US
The Dutch government has announced new rules restricting the export of certain types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, BBC reports.
What is known
The move came under pressure from the United States, which is demanding that the sale of computer chip technology to China be restricted. However, the Dutch authorities stated that they took this step for reasons of national security.
The Chinese government responded by saying that the decision “is not in the interests of either party” and will affect chip manufacturing and supply chains.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the United States abuses export controls and uses various pretexts to attract other countries to its side.
The US is engaged in an arms race with China to control the supply of semiconductors, especially some computer chips used for supercomputers and artificial intelligence.
The restrictions will particularly affect the largest Dutch manufacturer of chip manufacturing equipment ASML. The company has already stated that it will continue to comply with the current export rules. In addition, ASML is confident that these measures will not have a “material impact” on its finances.
