Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it was not clear whether his government would disclose the outcome of ongoing talks with the US over new export restrictions on the semiconductor industry.
S officials have said they expect the Netherlands and Japan to soon enact restrictions similar to those imposed on US companies in October to hamper China’s domestic chip-making industry. A Dutch delegation was in the US on Friday for talks.
Netherlands-based ASML Holding, a major supplier to chipmakers, could see at least part of its $2.4 billion (€2.2 billion) annual sales to China affected by the decision.
“These talks have been going on for a long time and we are not saying anything about them,” Mr Rutte said. “It’s really doubtful that if anything comes out of them it will be very visible. We have to see.”
Asked whether ASML would not need to be informed of the decision in order to implement new restrictions, Mr Rutte said government communications with the company were “also private”.
ASML CEO Peter Wennink told Reuters on Wednesday that Chinese chipmakers are already adjusting their plans to accommodate new restrictions seen as likely and he expects sales to China to remain flat in 2023 while ASML Group sales will increase by 25 percent.
Mr Rutte’s government has previously signaled that it intends to reach an agreement with the US on export controls, but that it will not simply adopt US rules.
He said talks were ongoing with “many countries” and aimed at maintaining technological leadership and preventing “the best technology from being deployed in defense systems where you don’t want it”.
https://www.independent.ie/business/world/dutch-tightlipped-as-us-pushes-restrictions-on-tech-sales-to-china-42316630.html Dutch silent as US enforces restrictions on tech sales to China
