China says ‘unsatisfied’ with new Dutch export controls on ASML chipmaking tools

BEIJING (Reuters) – China is “dissatisfied” by the Dutch government’s decision to extend export controls on ASML’s chip-making equipment, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Dutch government said Friday it will expand export licensing requirements for ASML’s 1970i and 1980i DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) immersion lithography tools, aligning its rules with export restrictions on these machines unilaterally 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 aimed at China’s access to cutting-edge chips and equipment.

“In recent years, in order to maintain its global hegemony, the United States has continued to … coerce certain countries to tighten export control measures for semiconductors and (related) equipment … China strongly opposes this,” said China’s trade. the 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 semiconductor cooperation, and save “the common interests of Chinese and Dutch enterprises.”

The US lobby effectively prevented ASML, the world’s largest supplier of chipmaking equipment, from exporting its most advanced lithography systems to China.

Dutch Trade Minister Reinette Klever said on Friday that the decision was taken “for our safety”.

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Sonali Paul)