Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

China hits out at Dutch plan to limit export of semiconductor tech

China hits out at Dutch plan to limit export of semiconductor tech

Semiconductors are a vital part of the manufacturing process for everything from military hardware to PlayStations - and a global shortage during pandemic lockdowns proved just how crucial they are to modern supply chains.

China has criticised a Dutch plan to restrict the export of semiconductor equipment - a vital part of the high-tech supply chain.

The Netherlands' government announced on Wednesday it would introduce limits to "protect national security", following similar measures brought by the US last year.

For the American curbs to be effective, other key suppliers had to be on board - and the Netherlands is home to a major supplier to semiconductor manufacturers.

ASML - Europe's biggest tech firm, based in Veldhoven - has sold more than €8bn (£7.1bn) of advanced machinery used to make semiconductors to Chinese customers since 2014.

The microchips are key to everything from military hardware to the smartphone in your pocket, and are a key battleground in the US and China's increasingly bitter trading relationship.

A global shortage during pandemic lockdowns led to car factories being closed and sought-after gadgets like PlayStations being incredibly hard to find.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it was "firmly opposed" to the Dutch decision to move in line with Washington, saying it would "intervene and limit normal economic and trade exchanges".

US President Joe Biden has taken a tough stance on US exports of semiconductor tech

'National control list'

It comes after the strict policy was announced in a letter to MPs in the Netherlands' parliament, though it did not mention China or ASML by name.

Trade minister Liesje Schreinemacher wrote that the measures - headlined by a "national control list" for all semiconductor exports - will come into force this summer.

It means companies will have to apply for licences to export technology like the equipment sold by ASML, which are "deep ultra violent" lithography machines that use powerful lasers to create the intricate circuitry of a chip.

Among ASML's customers are South Korea's Samsung, which does much of its product manufacturing in China, and world leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Taiwan manufactures around 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors, leading to concerns about the potential impact of any Chinese invasion on global tech supply chains.

It's already seen some firms pivot to building new manufacturing plants in the US.

Could Japan be next to impose tough rules?


The US move in October required chip-making companies that used American tech to make chips - even those not based in the country - to acquire special licences to export to China.

Since then, the White House has been pushing the Netherlands and Japan to adopt a similar stance.

Japan's trade minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura, said it had not yet decided whether to do so.

"For national security reasons, we constantly review export rules," he told MPs.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Hungary's Prime Minister Criticizes NATO's Role in Ukraine
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Hungarian Scientist to Conduct 30 Research Experiments on the International Space Station
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
International Astronaut Team Launched to Space Station
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
Oil Prices Set to Surge After US Strikes Iran
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Hungary Ranked Among the World’s Safest Travel Destinations for 2025
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Man Convicted of Fraud After Booking Over 120 Free Flights Posing as Flight Attendant
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Hungarian Parliament Approves Citizenship Suspension Law
Prime Minister Orbán Criticizes EU's Ukraine Accession Plans
Hungarian Delicacies Introduced to Japanese Market
Hungary's Industrial Output Rises Amid Battery Sector Slump
President Sulyok Celebrates 15 Years of Hungarian Unity Efforts
×