The Netherlands’ implementation of export controls on advanced chipmaking tools has officially begun, a move that aligns with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s recent visit to China. This development has caught the attention of Chinese netizens, who are enthusiastic about Huawei’s new handset launch despite US restrictions.
ASML, a Dutch chipmaking giant, announced that it had obtained licenses allowing it to continue shipping chip tools to China until the end of the year. While this provides a temporary buffer, ASML will not be able to ship its most advanced tools to China after January 1, 2024.
Industry experts suggest that the Netherlands’ decision to align with the US in curbing China’s technological advancements may pose a significant risk to ASML’s market share. They point out that China may have made progress in developing homemade 5G chips independently, which could lead to long-term losses for ASML.
Huawei recently announced the pre-order availability of its high-end Mate60 Pro smartphone series, which some speculate may use a homemade 5G-capable chip. This move is seen as a demonstration of China’s capability to conduct independent technological research and development, potentially giving China more leverage in its dealings with the US.
China and the US recently concluded trade discussions, during which semiconductor policies were a key issue. China raised “serious concerns” about US sanctions on its technological progress. Observers suggest that China’s technological advancements and resilience in the face of US sanctions have tilted the balance in the ongoing China-US tech war, with the initiative gradually returning to China.
The Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Ren Hongbin, also met with the President and CEO of the US Semiconductor Industry Association, John Neufer, to discuss cooperation in the semiconductor field.
As the Netherlands and Japan continue to align with the US in their China containment strategies, experts suggest that they may need to reconsider their positions, especially given the potential disadvantages faced by their allies.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has communicated with the Netherlands regarding chip equipment export controls, emphasizing the importance of respecting market principles, contracts, international rules, and free and open international trade.
The Netherlands and Japan had previously imposed restrictions on exports of advanced chip-manufacturing equipment, with critics attributing these moves to pressure from the US.