The Netherlands is urging the US to not expand export controls on microchip equipment in a way that would restrict ASML's (ASML) China sales, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing an interview with Dutch Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.

Sjoerdsma on Tuesday met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US lawmakers who are considering a law that would bar Chinese chipmakers from acquiring equipment produced by US-linked companies, according to the report.

The Dutch government is seeking to protect ASML, for which China made up 19% of net system sales in Q1, down from 36% in the previous quarter, the report said.

ASML did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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