Associated Press reported on Monday that Japan and the Netherlands had reached a new agreement with the United States. The arrangement restricts China’s access to microchips used to manufacture advanced computer technology.
The three parties haven’t commented on the agreement yet, and it is uncertain when they will make it public. White House officials declined to respond.
In October, the Biden administration enacted export curbs to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductors. According to the government, the country uses them to improve the speed and precision of its military logistics. The US also worries about their role in committing human rights abuses.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council of the White House, declined to comment on whether a deal had been reached. More updates regarding tightening export controls on semiconductor technology should follow soon.
Asked about the negotiations at a news conference last week, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte responded that they include “such sensitive material… high-quality technology that the Dutch government chooses to communicate about it very carefully and in a very limited way.”
ASML is a leading manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment based in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. The company stated on Sunday that it did not know any information about the arrangement or how it will affect ASML’s operations.
ASML is the sole manufacturer of machines that uses intense ultraviolet lithography to manufacture sophisticated semiconductor chips. Since 2019, the Dutch government has forbidden ASML from selling this equipment to China. However, the business continued to ship lithography systems of lower grade to southeast Asia.
The news also comes after Japan announced recently that it is preparing for a potential Chinese AMP attack. The limitations on the microchips and semiconductors are likely going to limit the Chinese ability to move forward with such plans. Southeast Asian country hasn’t responded to requests for comments.
