The US ambassador to the Netherlands, Pete Hoekstra, confirms that the United States has put pressure on the Netherlands to prevent the Dutch chip machine manufacturer from supplying ASML machines to China, reports The Financial Times (FD).
The US considers the sale of the machines to China a safety risk. “We believe this is particularly sensitive technology that does not belong in certain places,” says Hoekstra.
The machine from the Veldhoven company is the most advanced chip machine in the world. The technology has already been sold to several countries, including the US.
For exporting certain techniques to certain countries, companies need permission from the government. ASML is still waiting for permission from the Dutch government to be able to deliver the machine to China.
The Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands, Xu Hong, said Wednesday The Financial Times that he is concerned about the trade relationship between China and the Netherlands due to alleged US interference. The cabinet would withhold exports for political reasons.
Last week it came out that the cabinet would stop the sale, under pressure from the Americans.
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