ASML is no longer allowed to export some chip machines to China since September. From that month, the export restrictions announced in March will come into force, announced Foreign Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher. The regulation was published today in the Official Gazette.
In March, it was announced that a national licensing requirement will apply to select machines, including the most advanced Deep Ultra Violet (DUV) immersion lithography and deposition.
“We took this step in the interest of our national security. It is good that the companies concerned now know where they stand. This way they can adapt to the new regulations in time,” says Schreinemacher.
American pressure
The export restriction has come under pressure from the US government. Last October, it announced it would limit the export of its chip technology to China. In addition to the Netherlands, Japan has also decided to restrict the export of some chip technologies.
ASML of Veldhoven is a world leader in the development of chip machines. According to Schreinemacher, the scheme addresses the “most important vulnerabilities” “without unnecessarily disrupting global chip production”.
When the measure became known in March, ASML said it did not expect it would have a major effect on the company’s financial results. ASML exports have been limited for some time. The most modern machines (EUV) cannot be exported to China for some years.
Sorry
When the export restriction emerged, China expressed its disappointment, but hasn’t taken any countermeasures (yet). Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in May after a visit to Beijing that the Chinese government understands why this step has been taken.
‘My observation is that people don’t applaud him, they don’t like him, but they also understand why Holland is doing it. Besides, people also want to continue the technical dialogue and I think that’s a realistic request from the Chinese side,’ Hoekstra said at the time.
Source: BNR
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