The Dutch government is going to question the recent increased US export restrictions on ASML at the European Union. This answered responsible Minister Liesje Schreinemacher of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to questions from the House of Representatives.
Several political parties, such as CDA, D66 and Volt, are highly critical of the way the U.S. recently increased export restrictions on the Dutch manufacturer of chip machines.
According to objections from the Lower House, the U.S. has unilaterally changed the rules of the game with this measure. Using these economic measures for geopolitical purposes harms the Dutch “economic crown jewels” and brings a lot of uncertainty for Dutch, but also European companies, CDA MP Mustafa Amhaouch argues in questions to the minister. He calls for the export restrictions to be raised in Brussels.
Harmful for the Netherlands and Europe
According to him, if the Netherlands has nothing to say about these export restrictions, it will be financially and economically harmful to both the Netherlands and Europe. D66 and Volt add that they are also critical of the export restrictions and question whether the Netherlands has objected to them.
These parties also argue that despite clear agreements last year, the U.S. is still pulling its own plan and would thereby take away the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands.
Minister Schreinemacher’s response
In her response, Minister Schreinemacher indicates that the Netherlands has objected to the new restrictions in broad terms. Nonetheless, she indicated that the Cabinet believes that the U.S. is free in its measures based on its own security analyses. Nor would the U.S. have acted out of economic motives.
Schreinemacher does say she supports the call to raise the strategic export restrictions with the EU. “I want to take this up with the prime minister in Brussels. Europe is a strong force, we do have to use it.”
However, she does temper expectations about the results this approach can produce. According to Minister Schreinemacher, not all European member states feel like dealing with the discussion of U.S. technology export restrictions at the European level.
However, she does indicate to the various Members of Parliament that it is important for the Netherlands to remain in discussion with the U.S. on this issue.
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