Rutte and Hoekstra made no commitments to the US on chip bans in China

Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra made no promises on export restrictions against China in the chip technology and manufacturing sector at a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Rutte insists that the Netherlands is not just ‘signing the cross’.

It informs FD. With this, Rutte reiterates the position previously shared by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinmacher. Rutte and Hoekstra spoke with Biden about trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States (US). Attention was drawn to Western leadership in the field of technology. Rutte, Hoekstra and Biden agree that this lead should not disappear.

‘Don’t sign the cross’

At the same time, Biden says that the Netherlands and the US have so far been ‘in step’ with each other, but now there is a risk of differences arising. Discussion material includes ASML, which develops advanced machines for chip manufacturing. The US wants the Netherlands to impose export restrictions on China over such chip machines. However, Rutte is reluctant, saying that the Netherlands has not ‘signed the cross’ for this.

So no final decision has been taken in the negotiations regarding the acceptance of sanctions from the US to China. Although it is not clear exactly what these steps are, the cabinet reports that ‘necessary forward steps’ have been taken in this area.

Japan is also hesitant

Last week, Japan also pushed back against export bans on chip technology to China. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Biden discussed the matter. Kishida said after the trip that Japan has not yet decided whether to tighten sanctions on the chip technology industry.