An icon of ASML is displayed on a smartphone, with an ASML chip seen within the background.
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The Dutch authorities on Friday introduced it’s increasing export restrictions on superior semiconductor manufacturing gear, impacting extra of ASML‘s machines.
More kinds of chipmaking instruments are actually topic to necessities that imply corporations must apply for a license from the Dutch authorities moderately than the U.S. authorities to export their gear overseas.
Like different international locations, the Netherlands sees such curbs as a key nationwide safety requirement.
“I’ve made this decision for reasons of security. We see that technological advances have given rise to increased security risks associated with the export of this specific manufacturing equipment, especially in the current geopolitical context,” Reinette Klever, minister of overseas commerce and growth for the Netherlands, mentioned in an announcement.
ASML mentioned in a separate assertion Friday that the most recent measures from the federal government mark a “technical change” that aren’t anticipated to have any influence on its monetary outlook for 2024 or for its “longer-term scenarios.”
The expanded restrictions come after the Dutch authorities final yr launched its first main export restrictions on superior semiconductor gear exports.
ASML, some of the vital semiconductor corporations on the earth, is headquartered within the Netherlands. The agency makes equipment that’s required to supply essentially the most superior chips.
The nation’s newest strikes come after the U.S. on Friday rolled out new export controls on crucial applied sciences, together with quantum computing and semiconductor items.
In late 2022, the U.S. launched sweeping guidelines aiming to chop off exports of key chips and semiconductor instruments to China and sought to get allied international locations to comply with swimsuit. Washington has pressured international locations just like the Netherlands and others to ramp up export curbs on key chipmaking instruments. ASML’s crucial position in superior chips has made the Netherlands a key focus for U.S. policymakers.
In its newest assertion, the federal government didn’t identify any particular international locations that may be of specific focus for the chip restrictions, stating as an alternative that the principles apply to exports from the Netherlands to locations outdoors of the European Union.
“The Netherlands has a unique, leading position in this area. This entails certain responsibilities, which we take seriously. The Dutch semiconductor industry needs to know what it can expect. We have proceeded in a careful and targeted manner, so as to minimise the disruption to global trade flows and value chains,” Klever mentioned.
More ASML instruments require Dutch licenses
ASML makes two kinds of instruments – an excessive ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine and a deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machine.
EUV lithography machines, that are utilized by chipmakers resembling Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, are required to produce the most cutting-edge chips.
DUV lithography machines are used to manufacture other types of semiconductors like memory chips, which go into everything from laptops to phones.
Both sets of machines were brought under Dutch government curbs last year. ASML said the expanded restrictions on Friday mean its TWINSCAN NXT:1970i and 1980i DUV immersion lithography systems will now require a license from the Dutch government to be exported.
