Netherlands pushes back against proposed U.S. export limits on ASML

The Dutch government is pushing back against proposed U.S. export limits targeting ASML. Jetten, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Máxima attended a White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump on Monday. “This is certainly one of the issues to be raised there,” the prime minister told ANP. Jetten later called the meeting constructive and useful, noting that it included discussions on sensitive issues such as trade and export controls.

He also brought it up in a meeting with economic advisers at the White House. He said the talks involved some disagreement, with both sides recognizing each other’s positions without reaching consensus. Jetten also stressed the need for continued dialogue with the United States on potential export restrictions that could impact European companies like ASML.

According to him, it is “one of the main reasons” why he traveled to the United States. “I think it is also important that they not only hear from ASML what is good or less good for ASML, but that they also hear from the prime minister how we view the situation.”

U.S. lawmakers have put forward a plan to limit the export of high-end chip technology to allied countries. The move could impact ASML, as its equipment relies in part on American-made parts and software.

The proposed U.S. export controls discussed by Jetten are included in the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act. The legislation, backed by a cross-party group led by Michael Baumgartner, seeks to significantly tighten restrictions on exports of specific DUV lithography equipment to Chinese semiconductor firms and eliminate loopholes used in coordination with allied nations.

While ASML is already prohibited from exporting EUV equipment to China, the MATCH Act could go further by strengthening controls on specific DUV lithography systems and restricting indirect workarounds such as maintenance services and software upgrades.