Netherlands "Discussing with US and ASML on Restrictions of Semiconductor Equipment Sales to China"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Dutch government has confirmed that it is in discussions with the U.S. government regarding export restrictions to China on semiconductor manufacturing equipment maker ASML, known as the 'super subcontractor.'

According to Bloomberg on the 13th (local time), Wopke Hoekstra, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in interviews with multiple media outlets that "It is reasonable to always contact friends when certain products have strategic significance and impact worldwide," adding, "Of course, such conversations are taking place."

Minister Hoekstra's remarks come after reports that the U.S. government has lobbied the Dutch government and held related discussions to restrict ASML's exports to China. Bloomberg reported on the 5th, citing sources, that ASML is making efforts to prevent exports of deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment to China, following extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment.

The DUV equipment, which the U.S. is requesting the Netherlands to halt exports of, is a device that uses light to etch electronic circuits onto wafers and is an older version of the advanced semiconductor equipment called EUV. This equipment is mainly used in semiconductor processes other than the foundry's 5-nanometer (nm; 1 nanometer is one billionth of a meter) or smaller processes.

At that time, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. government lobbied the Dutch government and that Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, discussed supply chain issues and mentioned the China export issue during his visits to the Netherlands and Belgium in late May and early June. He also visited ASML headquarters and met with CEO Peter Wennink to discuss related matters.

With the Dutch government confirming that discussions with the U.S. are underway, attention is focused on whether export restrictions to China will be implemented in the future. It is reported that, so far, the Netherlands has not agreed to the U.S. proposal. China is the Netherlands' third-largest trading partner after Germany and Belgium.

Regarding China's human rights violations, Minister Hoekstra said, "I have great concerns about many news reports," adding, "These are issues I have spoken out about before, and many of my colleagues have expressed opinions on them." Western countries including the U.S. and Europe are investigating and pressuring China over allegations of human rights abuses against the Uyghur people.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.