China has voiced its dissatisfaction with the Dutch government’s decision to expand export controls on advanced chipmaking equipment, specifically those produced by ASML, a major player in the semiconductor industry.
The Chinese commerce ministry made the statement on Sunday, following the announcement from the Dutch authorities on Friday, signaling growing tensions between Beijing and Western nations over the technology sector.
The Dutch government’s new policy aligns its export regulations with those already imposed by the United States. The focus is on ASML’s advanced DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) immersion lithography tools, which are critical in chip production.
The licensing requirements for these machines are now more restrictive, in line with last year’s unilateral U.S. export bans on similar technologies, further complicating China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor equipment.
Beijing has been critical of Washington’s strategy of coercing its allies, including the Netherlands and Japan, to join its efforts in limiting Chinese access to key technologies like semiconductors. The Chinese government views these actions as part of the U.S.’s attempt to maintain global dominance, and it has repeatedly condemned such moves as detrimental to international trade relations.
In its firm response, China’s commerce ministry expressed its opposition to the Dutch decision, stating that the Netherlands should refrain from abusing export controls and warned that such actions could harm bilateral cooperation between Chinese and Dutch companies. The ministry emphasized the importance of safeguarding the mutual interests of both nations in the semiconductor industry.
The pressure from the U.S. has effectively halted ASML from exporting its most advanced chipmaking equipment to China, affecting the country’s ability to produce high-tech semiconductors. ASML is the leading global supplier of lithography systems, essential for manufacturing chips, making it a key player in the ongoing tech battle between the U.S. and China.
Dutch Trade Minister Reinette Klever, while announcing the decision, stressed that the move was taken in the interest of national security, reflecting growing concerns in the West over the strategic importance of semiconductors in modern technology and defense systems.
The heightened restrictions further escalate tensions between China and the Western bloc, as Beijing continues to seek alternatives to the increasingly restrictive policies limiting its technological advancements.