Netherlands eyes new curbs on selling chipmaking gear to China in deal with US
- The export limits could bar the sale of equipment capable of making 14-nanometre chips or those that are more advanced
- The move may put Dutch regulations at least partly in line with US restrictions announced in October
Dutch officials are planning new controls on exports of chipmaking equipment to China, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially aligning their trade rules with US efforts to restrict Beijing’s access to high-end technology.
An agreement on the Dutch curbs could come as soon as next month, according to the people, who asked not to be identified given the sensitivity of the discussions, adding that negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been made.
The Dutch foreign trade ministry and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.
The Dutch move, which would essentially codify and potentially expand its unofficial ban on some technology sales to China, is a step toward bulking up US efforts to limit Beijing’s chipmaking and military ambitions.
The new export limits under consideration by the Netherlands could bar the sale of equipment capable of making chips designated as 14 nanometres or those that are more advanced, according to the people, using a reference to the industry standard for measuring semiconductor technology. That move may put Dutch regulations at least partly in line with US restrictions announced on October 7.