Netherlands Urges EU To Take Stand On Curbing Supply Communist China Of Chips

Foreign media reported on January 17 that the Dutch technology industry group FME called on the European Commission to draft a document stating its stance on whether and how to restrict the export of computer chip technology to Communist China.

The call comes from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is in Washington to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. The two leaders are expected to discuss how the Netherlands could adopt U.S. rules introduced in October aimed at hampering Communist China’s chip-making industry to slow its technological and military progress.

The Netherlands is home to ASML, a major semiconductor equipment manufacturer. ASML’s sales to Communist China in 2021 are worth 2 billion euros, or 15 percent of the company’s business. If the Netherlands adopts the new U.S. rules, it could affect ASML’s production.

The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands earlier said on 15 that while the Netherlands shares the same concerns with U.S. about over-reliance on Asian chipmakers and the application of chip technology for military purposes, the Netherlands will not simply adopt the U.S. rules. FME believes there are loopholes to exploit in the export of chips to Communist China and therefore calls for more unified and robust action in Europe as soon as possible.