The chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee says there must be a reaction to the export restrictions imposed by America on ASML. He argues that the restrictions violate international law. That is why the president wants to see Europe sit down with America.
Since the latest American export restrictions are not allowed under international law, a suitable solution can be found in consultation with America. If that conversation fails to produce results, the chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) wants it to come to a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization.
‘ASML technological leader in Europe’
Bernd Lange, the INTA chairman, believes it is time for the EU to take action against U.S. export restrictions. He describes ASML as “one of the technological leaders in Europe,” in an interview with the FD, “which should be supported in its development and not limited in its ability to trade its products.”
According to Lange, the support is also important to achieve the stated ambitions of the European Chips Act. Indeed, he sees that a lead has been created with the Veldhoven-based chip machine manufacturer, which must now be turned into something long-term. “We often talk about ramping up semiconductor production. But that is standard work. The only thing that Europe really has a lead with is with ASML. And we really need to support that.”
Netherlands passes problem on to EU
After the tightened export restrictions were announced, several Dutch political parties reacted critically to the matter in the Lower House. Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, basically gave the U.S. permission for the restrictions.
She was willing to take the issue to the European level, though she thought she would get little result. Lange and, by extension, the European Parliament’s INTA, however, seem to back-up the Netherlands on this case.
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