Netherlands to Roll out Export Restrictions for Chip-Making Equipment

   By Mauro Orru

The Dutch government has set out new export control measures for advanced semiconductor-manufacturing equipment due to security concerns, aligning with U.S. efforts to prevent key technology from advancing China's military power.

The measures, due to come into force in September, will require companies to apply for authorization to export certain types of chip-making equipment that could be used for "advanced military applications."

"We've taken this step on national security grounds. It's good for the companies that will be impacted to know what they can expect. This will give them the time they need to adapt to the new rules," said Liesje Schreinemacher, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Dutch semiconductor-equipment maker ASML Holding said it didn't expect a material impact on its guidance from the new export controls, which will affect shipments of its most advanced immersion deep-ultraviolet lithography systems.

ASML shares were down around 2% Friday morning, while the overall Dutch market was largely flat.

Initially announced in early March, the ministerial order was published Friday in the official Dutch government gazette portal. The move mirros a U.S. decision last October to impose export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chip-manufacturing equipment, requiring U.S. chip makers to obtain a license from the Commerce Department to export certain chips used in advanced artificial-intelligence calculations and supercomputing.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Biden administration is weighing new restrictions on the export of artificial-intelligence chips to China, citing people familiar with the situation.

"We've given careful consideration to this decision and drafted the ministerial order as precisely as possible. That way, we can address the most important vulnerabilities without causing unnecessary disruption to the global manufacture of chips," Schreinemacher said.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com; @MauroOrru94

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 30, 2023 05:37 ET (09:37 GMT)

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