Washington wants to tighten restrictions on Chinese chips: the Netherlands steps in to oppose them

Tensions between the United States and its allies over technology exports to China have escalated. A senior Dutch official recently met with US officials in Washington to express concerns about a proposed law that could force US partners, including the Netherlands, to impose stricter restrictions on semiconductor exports.

At the heart of the debate is the "Match Act," a bipartisan bill introduced in the US Congress in April. This bill aims to further complicate China's access to the technologies needed to produce chips for artificial intelligence. It includes mechanisms allowing Washington to encourage, or even compel, its allies to adopt similar controls on exports of sensitive equipment.

The Dutch Minister of Trade, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, explained that his country shared American concerns regarding technological security and the need to prevent advanced technologies from falling into the wrong hands. However, he warned that certain provisions of the bill could be perceived as interference in decisions falling under the national sovereignty of US allies.

He believes that the close cooperation that currently exists between Washington and its partners risks being weakened if it becomes a relationship imposed by force. The Netherlands maintains that decisions affecting its national security and businesses should continue to be made jointly rather than unilaterally.

The subject is particularly sensitive due to the strategic role of ASMLThe Dutch semiconductor manufacturing equipment giant, Mfg.i.uk, is involved in a dispute with China. The United States and the Netherlands have already cooperated to prevent the sale of the most advanced machines used in the production of artificial intelligence chips to China. However, disagreements remain regarding certain less sophisticated equipment that the company continues to supply or maintain for Chinese customers.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands formalized its participation in Pax Silica, a US-led initiative to coordinate artificial intelligence supply chains among allied countries. This alliance already includes several strategic partners, including South Korea and Japan, while Taiwan supports the project without being an official member.

For Washington, the goal is to limit Beijing's technological capabilities in sectors deemed essential to national security. For the Netherlands, the challenge lies in finding a balance between cooperation with its allies and preserving its decision-making autonomy. This divergence illustrates the growing challenges facing Western partners as the technological rivalry between the United States and China continues to intensify.