Dutch Join US Push To Limit Semiconductors To China

The Netherlands signed on to a U.S. effort to curb the export of semiconductor chips to Communist China. Both nations view the move as a way to thwart the rise of China’s military might, which has dramatically increased in recent years.

To be successful, however, the program must encompass its key European ally as well as Japan.

But the Wednesday announcement by the Dutch government is a start, as the nation is a leader in chipmaking technology and essential in any push to limit Beijing’s technological advancement.

Semiconductors may be described as the “brains” of advanced computing systems. Everything from everyday electronic devices to the most advanced military systems relies on these components to work properly. 

The U.S. in October enacted expansive export restrictions on the chipmaking industry to China, and talks with the Netherlands and Japan have been ongoing since.

Wednesday’s announcement came from Dutch Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher. The country’s new export protocols will be introduced before summer, though her letter did not specifically mention China.

However, both trade with Beijing and exports of ASML Holding NV, the continent’s premiere tech firm and semiconductor supplier, will be profoundly affected. The letter specified “DUV” lithography systems, considered the second-most advanced machines ASML supplies.

With Dutch help and presumably Japan’s in the near future, the move will go far to limiting the technical advancement of the communist regime. Chinese aggression is noted the world over, and limiting its computing and AI power is key to containing its ambitions.

The U.S. has recently implemented solid policy decisions to bolster its competitiveness with China. 

The bipartisan CHIPS Act was signed into law in August by President Joe Biden with the intent of supporting domestic production of the critical components. Properly implemented, it will go far in giving the U.S. and its allies a major competitive advantage against Beijing.

Furthermore, 90% of advanced chips now come from Taiwan. A Chinese invasion, which is hardly out of the question, could cripple the supply for the U.S. and much of the world. 

But leave it to Democrats to meddle with a policy they were somehow on the right side of. The party could not resist quietly inserting partisan woke provisions into the CHIPS Act that had nothing to do with strengthening the computing capacity of the U.S. and its allies.