Japan and the Netherlands agree to cooperate with the United States in tightening export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China

The conflict between the United States, a global economic powerhouse, and China extends not only to politics but also to the semiconductor field, with the United States not only tightening export controls on semiconductors to China, but also Japan, which has a major manufacturer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. We are also increasing our efforts to reach out to the Netherlands. Foreign media outlets such as Bloomberg and the New York Times have recently reported that Japan and the Netherlands have agreed to join forces with the United States and tighten export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.

Japan, Netherlands to Join US in Chip Export Controls on China - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-27/japan-netherlands-to-join-us-in-chip-export-controls-on-china

Netherlands and Japan Said to Join US in Curbing China's Access to Chip Tech - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/28/business/economy/netherlands-japan-china-chips.html

Japan and the Netherlands join US with tough chip controls on China - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/28/23574032/japan-netherlands-chips-semiconductors-china-export-controls

As the conflict with China worsens, the United States has introduced new licensing requirements for the export of high-performance semiconductors from NVIDIA and AMD needed for AI-related applications. The U.S. government told NVIDIA that the new licensing requirements 'address the risk that covered products may be used or diverted to 'military end uses' or 'military end users' in China and Russia.' He said he explained it.

The United States is cracking down on semiconductor exports to China due to suspicions that ``China may use AI and supercomputers to develop weapons and crack codes'' - GIGAZINE

To counter these US restrictions, China aims to build its own semiconductor industry, but the US is also reaching out to Japan and the Netherlands, which are major exporters of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

ASML , a Dutch semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturer, has almost a monopoly on the technology of `` extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment ,'' which is the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, but as of 2019, sales of EUV lithography equipment to China are prohibited. It has been. What the United States is currently working on is a ban on the export of ``deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment'' that is older than EUV.

The United States urges the Netherlands not to sell DUV equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing to China - GIGAZINE

Bloomberg and the New York Times reported, citing people familiar with the negotiations, that Japan and the Netherlands have agreed to restrict exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China in response to U.S. efforts. The meetings between the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands are being held privately, and none of the countries plans to publicly announce regulations. It is expected that it will take several months or more for Japan and the Netherlands to finalize legal agreements and implement regulations.

The new agreement will prevent Dutch company ASML from selling at least some DUV equipment to China, and will also affect Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturers Tokyo Electron and Nikon . American semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturers were concerned that government regulations would prohibit them from selling semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, and that manufacturers from other countries would enter the Chinese market. The New York Times said, 'The deal puts the countries' technology industries on a more equal footing and is likely to prevent Japanese and Dutch companies from rushing into the Chinese market abandoned by American companies.' It is written.

White House National Security Council Strategic and Public Affairs Coordinator John Kirby confirmed to Bloomberg that Dutch and Japanese officials have been meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, saying, ``You can imagine. As expected, they will be talking about a variety of issues that are important to our three countries, and the safety and security of emerging technologies will no doubt be on the agenda.' Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said, ``The talks have been going on for a long time, but we have not made the matter public.If something comes out of the talks, it will be visible.'' I don't know if that's the case,' he commented.

Meanwhile, ASML CEO Peter Wennink pointed out in an interview on January 25 that despite US export restrictions, China may eventually develop its own advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. ``If China can't get those machines, they will develop them themselves,'' he said. ``It will take time, but eventually they will succeed.''