Key Points
- ASML’s CEO stated the company’s business has not been affected by the Nexperia dispute between the Netherlands and China.
- The dispute began when the Dutch government seized Nexperia over concerns about technology transfers, causing chip shortages.
- The shortage of Nexperia chips has particularly impacted the global automotive market.
- A Dutch delegation is scheduled to visit China next week for further talks to resolve the issue.
The CEO of ASML, the Dutch giant that makes chip-manufacturing equipment, said the company has not been affected by the recent tensions between the Netherlands and China. The dispute centers on the Dutch government’s takeover of the chipmaker Nexperia.
“It will not affect our business in the short term,” ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet said in a Dutch television interview. He added that he believes the worst of the crisis is now over.
The conflict began when the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia due to concerns about the transfer of technology to China. This led to a standoff between Nexperia’s European business and its Chinese plant, disrupting the supply of its chips. These chips are essential for the global automotive market, and the shortage has caused problems for car manufacturers.
Fouquet commented on the situation, saying, “What is key on this topic is to talk before you escalate, and maybe this time it went the other way around.” His remarks suggest that better communication could have avoided the current standoff.
A Dutch delegation is expected to travel to China next week for further discussions, indicating that both sides are seeking a way to resolve the issue. For ASML, a critical player in the global semiconductor supply chain, being insulated from this political turmoil is good news, as it allows the company to continue its operations without disruption.
