Dutch exports to China are shrinking, partly due to ban on chip machine exports

Dutch exports to China are shrinking. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 15 percent fewer goods were shipped to the Asian country in the first half of this year. This export decline is mainly due to lower exports of specialized machinery and components, including chip machines.

Veldhoven-based chip machine manufacturer ASML made no secret of the fact that sales in China have not been going well recently when presenting its quarterly figures last month. Last year, China accounted for over 40 percent of all ASML chip machines sold. At that time, Chinese companies seemed to be hoarding these types of machines, although ASML stated that this was mainly due to the timing of deliveries. The entire development may have been prompted by fears of even stricter export controls.

Conversely, Dutch imports from China actually grew rapidly in the first half of the year. In terms of volume, CBS measured a 6 percent increase. In terms of value, imports from China were 5.4 percent higher. This is mainly due to a larger influx of computers, laptops, tablets, and other devices.

Total international goods trade appears to be stabilizing after turbulent years, according to the statistics agency. Both imports and exports increased by 1.6 percent in the first half of the year compared to the previous year. Prices have also risen slightly on average. Substantial price increases, particularly for cocoa, coffee, and chocolate, were largely offset by lower fuel prices.