The government is not yet putting a stop to maintenance of machines that ASML has already delivered to Chinese customers. There are approximately nine hundred ASML machines in China – most of which cost tens of millions of euros each. Without ASML's own technicians and spare parts, the most advanced systems would come to a standstill within a few weeks. Last week, Bloomberg news agency reported that the Netherlands was considering not renewing expiring maintenance contracts, under pressure from the Americans.
For the time being, the Netherlands will not go along with this. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said last week that he will also take ASML's economic interests into account in his considerations. "ASML is of great importance to the innovative Dutch industry and that may not suffer any damage under any circumstances."
At an investor meeting in New York this week, ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet said the Americans are trying to impose restrictions primarily for economic reasons. According to Reuters, Fouquet said it is “increasingly difficult to consider export measures as a matter of national security.”
