- ORIGINAL NEWS
China says the U.S. has ‘weaponized’ chip export controls
- SUMMARY
China’s Ministry of Commerce accused the US of abusing export controls as a weapon.
Spokesperson Shu Jueting expressed grave concerns over the US interfering with high-tech exports from Dutch companies like ASML, which is crucial for making advanced semiconductors.
Shu criticized the US for using export controls strategically and urged the Netherlands to prioritize contractual obligations and support legitimate trade.
This situation is a response to the Netherlands restricting ASML from exporting some lithography products to China.
The Dutch government imposed new export restrictions on specific chip-manufacturing equipment last year, following similar measures by the US to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductor tech.
ASML later confirmed that these latest US export regulations apply to some of their lithography tools.
China strongly opposes such actions and intends to take steps to protect its business interests.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao also addressed these concerns during a conference call with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, stressing the importance of third-party exports, legacy chip supply chains, and lifting sanctions on Chinese companies.
The US Department of Commerce has not yet responded to a request for comment.
- NEWS SENTIMENT CHECK
- Overall sentiment:
negative
Positive
“ASML said in a Jan. 1 statement the Dutch government restricted it from exporting some lithography products to China.”
Negative
“China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday the U.S. is weaponizing export controls and using them as a tool.”
“Spokesperson Shu Jueting said at the ministry’s first press conference in 2024, according to a CNBC translation of her Mandarin-language remarks.”