Following reports that Dutch semiconductor equipment giant ASML Holding NV (ASML) volunteered to act as the "eyes and ears" of the U.S. in China, the company has issued a strong denial, calling the claims "severely inaccurate" and damaging to its reputation.

The allegations surfaced in a new book titled *The World’s Most Important Machine*, co-authored by former Bloomberg journalists Diederik Baazil and Cagan Koc. Citing anonymous sources, the book details key discussions between the Netherlands, ASML, and the U.S. in recent years, including a controversial 2023 episode.

In January 2023, the Netherlands and the U.S. agreed to further restrict exports of lithography machines to China, with the ban taking full effect in 2024. During the transition period, ASML was permitted to deliver only a limited number of previously contracted deep ultraviolet (DUV) machines to China, with no new sales allowed. However, the book claims ASML exceeded the agreed-upon quota, angering U.S. officials.

Former ASML CEO Peter Wennink reportedly faced pressure from then-U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who warned that violating the agreement risked damaging the Netherlands' credibility with key allies. Wennink, a vocal critic of U.S. export controls, allegedly proposed that ASML could provide intelligence on Chinese chip factories in exchange for continued service access for its engineers in China.

The book describes the offer as "extraordinary," suggesting a Dutch firm was willing to share sensitive information with the U.S. government for favorable treatment. However, then-U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reportedly rejected the idea, unwilling to give China opportunities to close the semiconductor gap.

ASML has firmly denied the claims, stating that no such proposal was ever made to any government. The company emphasized its compliance with all applicable laws and export controls, adding that it had warned the authors about factual inaccuracies before publication.

China has repeatedly criticized U.S. export restrictions, arguing they disrupt global supply chains and violate international trade rules. ASML’s current CEO, Christophe Fouquet, has also warned that U.S. chip controls could backfire by accelerating China’s self-sufficiency in semiconductor technology.

Industry experts note that China’s growing competitiveness in semiconductor equipment could make future restrictions ineffective, as domestic manufacturers continue to advance their capabilities.