"US Pressures Netherlands to Halt Maintenance of Chinese Semiconductors"

The U.S. administration under Joe Biden will visit the Netherlands next week to prevent Dutch semiconductor equipment company ASML from providing equipment maintenance and repair services to China. This move aims to pressure China by mobilizing allied countries to curb its semiconductor ambitions.

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Major foreign media outlets reported on the 4th (local time), citing multiple sources, that Alan Estevez, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, is scheduled to meet with Dutch government officials and ASML representatives on the 8th to discuss issues related to these service contracts. Deputy Under Secretary Estevez heads the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which oversees the U.S. government's export control policies.

The Netherlands has already controlled exports of semiconductor equipment to China by domestic companies such as ASML under U.S. pressure. Furthermore, the U.S. is demanding that ASML not provide maintenance and repair services for existing equipment. At last week's export control meeting, Deputy Under Secretary Estevez stated, "We are working with our allies to determine what is important and what is not in terms of services."

China is ASML's second-largest market by sales. The media noted that if maintenance and repair services for existing equipment are also blocked, China will inevitably feel significant pain. Additionally, sources added that the Biden administration may seek to expand the list of Chinese semiconductor manufacturing plants that are prohibited from receiving Dutch equipment exports.

Foreign media evaluated, "This meeting will be the Biden administration's latest measure to persuade allied countries to join efforts to limit China's advanced chip production capabilities."

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Deputy Under Secretary Estevez's visit plans but did not disclose the agenda to be discussed. The ministry stated, "The Netherlands always engages in good discussions with its partners," adding, "The scheduled meeting of officials on Monday (the 8th) is one example of such dialogue."

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Washington protested, claiming that the U.S. is forcing other countries to join its technology blockade against China based on excessive national security standards. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed dissatisfaction during a phone call with President Biden, stating that the U.S. actions to block certain technologies, including advanced semiconductors, hinder China's legitimate development. In response, President Biden conveyed that "unfair trade and investment restrictions will not be imposed," while affirming the continuation of export controls on advanced technologies for national security reasons.

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