Trump Aide David Sacks Warns Against Loosening ASML Export Curbs After China Asks Netherlands For Relief

David Sacks, the White House’s AI and Crypto Czar under President Donald Trump, called for continued restrictions on China’s access to advanced chipmaking tools “of paramount importance” on Friday following new reports that Beijing has again asked the Netherlands to relax semiconductor export controls.

"Restricting the sale of EUV lithography equipment to China is the single most important export control that we have in the area of semiconductors," Sacks wrote in a post on X. "The first Trump administration began the restriction, and it’s of paramount importance that it continues."

Sacks' remarks came after Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp disclosed that China had renewed its appeals for the Netherlands to relax export controls on semiconductor technology. 

Veldkamp noted that policies regarding export controls and licensing remain topics of ongoing discussion between the two nations.

The Netherlands is home to ASML Holding NV, the sole global manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, essential for producing cutting-edge semiconductors. 

These machines are pivotal in the global tech supply chain, and their export has been a focal point in U.S.-led efforts to curb China's technological advancements in critical sectors.

During Trump's first term, the administration initiated measures to restrict China's access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, citing national security concerns. These efforts have continued into his second term, with Sacks playing a central role in shaping technology and cryptocurrency policies.

ASML’s stock was down 1.14% in afternoon trade on Friday amid broader market weakness. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) tumbled 1.2%, and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which tracks the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, dropped 0.7%. 

ASML’s stock has gained nearly 4% this year but has fallen around 25% over the past 12 months. 

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