Chinese ambassador warns Dutch government against restricting ASML supplies
- ASML, one of the Netherlands’ largest companies, is a near monopolist in lithography, an essential step in the manufacture of computer chips
- Beijing’s ambassador to the Netherlands has warned that bilateral trade relations would be damaged if it is not allowed to ship its newest machines to China
Trade relations between China and the Netherlands would be damaged if Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier ASML is not allowed to ship its newest machines to China, Beijing’s ambassador to the Netherlands was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
ASML, one of the Netherlands’ largest companies, is a near monopolist in lithography, an essential step in the manufacture of computer chips. China has invested billions to develop its burgeoning semiconductor industry, but needs ASML equipment if its chip makers are to compete with the best in Taiwan, South Korea and the United States.
“We are concerned that the Netherlands is politicising our trade relationship under American pressure,” Chinese ambassador Xu Hong was quoted as saying in the Het Financieele Dagblad newspaper.
“If this movement continues it will of course negatively affect bilateral relations.”