According to a statement by Schreinemacher, “additional national export control measures” are being taken. These ‘concern very specific technologies in the production cycle of semiconductors in which the Netherlands has a unique and leading position, such as the most advanced Deep Ultra Violet (DUV) immersion lithography and deposition,’ the minister writes.
Sensitive chip technology
At the end of January, it was already leaked that the Netherlands, the United States and Japan had reached an agreement on the export restriction of chip technology to China. Washington has already limited its own export of chip technology to China. The Americans also looked at the Netherlands, because ASML is a global leader in the development of chip machines.
The Americans emphatically want to slow down China’s technological advance, for fear that the Chinese army will eventually benefit from it. The Americans see this as a threat to the free Western democratic world, and therefore also to the Netherlands. ASML has become a plaything in that geopolitical game. With growing knowledge of Dutch technology, China can strengthen its technological position in the world.
