EU leaders allegedly personally ask Dutch chip makers, including ASML, to relocate
European heads of state are personally calling Dutch companies to persuade them to relocate, caretaker Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans told MPs Wednesday.
“There are European heads of state who phone our companies to lure them to their country,” Karremans said during a debate on the semiconductor industry, according to Financieele Dagblad (FD). He added that other European countries roll out the “red carpet” for firms with strategic importance.
ASML, the Veldhoven-based chip equipment maker, has been a target of such interest. The company appointed French man Christophe Fouquet as CEO last year and consulted former French minister Bruno Le Maire. In early 2024, ASML reportedly wanted to expand production abroad, prompting the government to create a 2.5 billion euros package, code-named Beethoven, to keep the expansion in Veldhoven.
Karremans said he cannot guarantee permits but is willing to prioritize ASML over other grid users. “Nothing is too much to make sure this connection succeeds. Sometimes I even call companies myself to ask if they can wait a little longer, because this is such a major economic interest,” he said.
He reportedly receives monthly updates on project Beethoven and confirmed that firms and provinces are requesting additional support to ensure the expansion proceeds.
