China says “dissatisfied” with new Dutch export controls on ASML chipmaking tools By Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) – China is “not satisfied” with the Dutch government’s decision to expand export controls on chipmaking equipment from ASML, the commerce ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Dutch government said on Friday it will expand export licensing requirements for ASML’s DUV (deep ultraviolet) 1970i and 1980i immersion lithography tools, bringing its rules into line with unilateral export restrictions on such machines imposed by the United States last year.

Beijing has repeatedly criticized Washington’s strategy of pressuring allies such as the Netherlands and Japan to join export controls targeting China’s access to advanced chips and chipmaking equipment.

“In recent years, in order to maintain its global hegemony, the United States has continued to… force certain countries to tighten export control measures on semiconductors and (related) equipment… China firmly opposes this,” China’s Commerce Ministry said in response to the Dutch government’s announcement on Friday.

The ministry added that the Dutch side should not abuse export controls, avoid measures that harm Sino-Dutch cooperation in semiconductors, and protect “the common interests of Chinese and Dutch companies.”

US pressure has effectively prevented ASML, the world’s largest vendor of chip manufacturing equipment, from exporting its most advanced lithography systems to China.

Dutch Trade Minister Renate Kleaver said on Friday that the decision was taken “for our own safety.”