According to a BBC report, The Netherlands announced new rules to restrict exports of certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Although they did not say it was due to pressure from the U.S. to curb computer chip technology sales to China, they instead said it was implemented on national security grounds.
The Chinese government claimed the decision was “not in the interests of any party” and would impact chip production and supply chains. China said it opposed the U.S.’s abuse of export controls and pretexts to coerce other countries into imposing a technological blockade against China.
The U.S. and China are at odds regarding the supply of semiconductors, especially those targeting supercomputing and artificial intelligence. That chip segment is expected to double by 2030.
The U.S. imposed sweeping export restrictions on American chip-making tools shipments to China to prevent a stronger Chinese military.
But for the U.S. restrictions to be effective, it needs other key suppliers, such as the Netherlands, to join forces. The restrictions must be imposed from suppliers outside of the U.S. to be effective. The Dutch established a requirement that exporting certain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment would need to be authorized beginning September 1.
