The Netherlands and Japan are close to a deal with the US on chip exports to China.

The Netherlands and Japan are close to an agreement with the United States to limit exports of chip technology to China. The Netherlands and Japan’s export restrictions could be lifted by the end of this month, according to Bloomberg News. Both countries are major players when it comes to high-end chip equipment.

“I’m sure we’ll get there,” Rutte said in an interview with Bloomberg during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Rutte was at the White House on Tuesday, where he spoke with US President Joe Biden about, among other things, export restrictions. Even then, the Prime Minister indicated that he was confident of a successful outcome to the talks.

Also Read | Rutte did not make any promises about the chip debate with the US

Unilateral actions

The US government took unilateral steps in October to restrict exports of highly advanced semiconductors and semiconductor technology to China. It should no longer be supplied to China by US companies. Americans are not allowed to participate.

The Netherlands is one of the world’s most important suppliers of machinery used in the production of chips. But the Americans want to reduce the export of chip machines from ASML to China. This concerns not only ASML’s most modern EUV machines, whose exports to China have already been suspended, but also slightly older machines manufactured with DUV technology. Japan has important chip companies such as Tokyo Electron and Renesas.

Also Read | US is increasing pressure on ASML