Concerns raised for U.S. intervention on Dutch exports to China

China expressed deep concern and strong opposition to the direct intervention from the United States in disrupting the export of photolithography machines from Dutch companies to China, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The U.S. has been instrumentalizing and weaponizing export controls, extending its interference beyond its own borders and affecting the normal trade between companies of other countries, and China firmly opposes such actions, said Shu Jueting, spokeswoman with the ministry, at a news conference in Beijing.

China has called on the Dutch government to uphold the spirit of contracts and support companies in conducting complacent trade, Shu said, emphasizing the need for a free, open, fair and non-discriminatory international trade environment.

The Chinese government will keep abreast with market dynamics and the impact of these interference measures, and will take necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, Shu said.