Former ASML CEO Peter Wennick believes the trade war between the US and China over chips could last several decades.
The US-Dutch company ASML was involved in supplying chip manufacturing equipment to Taiwan and China.
Wennick emphasizes that he worked in the best interests of the company's shareholders and management and did not take sides with either the U.S. or China. However, he communicated with both sides to ease restrictions on U.S. exports and improve China's awareness of proprietary infringements. As a result, both governments may have suspected him of committing to the other side.
Wennick also expressed fears that the "chip war" would continue for decades because of geopolitical instability and the profit potential in the semiconductor industry. ASML has played a significant role in the global debate on the "chip war" and the Netherlands has become a link between China and the West as sanctions tighten.
Tang Jian, China's ambassador to the Netherlands, emphasized that EU-China relations should not suffer because of the standoff with the US. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and demanded that the Netherlands not follow US restrictions on ASML equipment. In the meantime, it remains unknown how Chinese companies such as SMIC and Huawei will be able to develop their chip manufacturing process without access to ASML's EUV lithography tools.
Wennick emphasizes that he worked in the best interests of the company's shareholders and management and did not take sides with either the U.S. or China. However, he communicated with both sides to ease restrictions on U.S. exports and improve China's awareness of proprietary infringements. As a result, both governments may have suspected him of committing to the other side.
Wennick also expressed fears that the "chip war" would continue for decades because of geopolitical instability and the profit potential in the semiconductor industry. ASML has played a significant role in the global debate on the "chip war" and the Netherlands has become a link between China and the West as sanctions tighten.
Tang Jian, China's ambassador to the Netherlands, emphasized that EU-China relations should not suffer because of the standoff with the US. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and demanded that the Netherlands not follow US restrictions on ASML equipment. In the meantime, it remains unknown how Chinese companies such as SMIC and Huawei will be able to develop their chip manufacturing process without access to ASML's EUV lithography tools.