Verhagen thus underlines the enormous innovative strength of ASML. ‘They spent twenty years working on a solution to a problem that no one else could solve. Now they are more or less undermined by geopolitics». The Netherlands backs tougher US rules on the chip industry against China. This is problematic for ASML, because it is the market leader in lithography.
‘ASML has already sent. We are no longer allowed to supply EUVs to China. And the EUV represents half of our turnover,’ says Wennink. The consequences can therefore be significant, according to the CEO. Among other things, he states that 15% of ASML’s turnover comes from China.
‘not strange’
However, Verhagen thinks Wennink may have little influence over the rules. “If the United States decides something is going to happen, it just happens. It’s a superpower and we’re super addicted to it.’ It also stands to reason that the US introduced these rules against China, Verhagen says. It is an autocratic country with human rights violations, while the United States is a natural ally for Europe. So it’s not so strange.’