Netherlands to Protect Domestic Economic Interests Including ASML Despite US Pressure

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the United States imposes semiconductor export controls on China and demands that its allies join in, the Dutch government has stated that it will "protect its economic interests," considering domestic semiconductor equipment companies such as ASML.

According to Bloomberg on the 22nd (local time), Dutch Minister of Trade Liesje Schreinemacher appeared before parliament and said that the Netherlands would make its own decisions regarding ASML's sales to China during trade discussions with the United States and others. This statement came amid U.S. pressure to block exports to China of ASML's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, essential for advanced semiconductor processes, as well as older deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment.

Minister Schreinemacher said, "It is important to defend our own interests and security," adding, "but at the same time, it is also important to protect our economic interests." She emphasized, "If this issue is included in European Union (EU) discussions and we negotiate with the United States only to ultimately concede to them, the situation will worsen."

Bloomberg assessed that such remarks from a senior Dutch government official indicate opposition to the Netherlands joining the U.S. semiconductor export controls on China. Minister Schreinemacher had firmly stated last week that the U.S. should not expect the Netherlands to automatically participate in its export controls.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Alan Estevez and Tarun Chhabra, Senior Director for Technology and National Security at the White House National Security Council (NSC), are scheduled to visit the Netherlands this month to conduct related negotiations with the Dutch government. Bloomberg reported that immediate results from these talks are unlikely.

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