The Netherlands government officially opposed the US Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, which would extend restrictions on Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier ASML’s sales and services to China. Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma published written objections to lawmakers on May 12, citing concerns over the proposal’s extraterritorial application and potential impacts on Dutch companies’ revenue and trade environment predictability [1, 2, 3].
The MATCH Act, introduced last month by bipartisan US legislators, seeks to prohibit ASML from selling lower-end deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines and providing related services to Chinese customers. ASML is already banned under existing US export controls from selling its most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines to China [1, 2, 3].
Sjoerdsma told lawmakers, "Given the possible impact of the Match Act on the Netherlands if adopted in its current form, the Netherlands has communicated its objections, particularly regarding the extraterritorial aspects, to both members of Congress and the US government" [1]. He added that the Dutch government "opposes the inherent extraterritorial application of the US proposal. Every country should be responsible for its own export control legislation. Such broad measures could significantly impact the revenues of semiconductor companies including Dutch firms, weaken their market position, and undermine the predictability of the trade and investment environment" [2, 3].
Dutch Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also conveyed objections to US officials during last month’s Dutch royal visit to the United States, reflecting broad government concern over the MATCH Act’s effects on Dutch industry [2, 3].
ASML’s sales to China have declined but remain significant. The company’s revenue from China is estimated at 20% in 2026, down from 33% in 2025. China’s imports of Dutch lithography equipment fell by about 24.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 [2, 3].
Despite tensions, Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerdsma met Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in March at the WTO summit in Cameroon, signaling efforts to maintain relations. Sjoerdsma also plans a visit to China despite being sanctioned by Beijing in 2021 [2, 3].
There is no public indication that US President Donald Trump currently supports the MATCH Act [2, 3]. The coming weeks will show how US lawmakers respond to Dutch objections and whether the MATCH Act advances.
