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☆ Dutch farmers' protest party scores big election win, shaking up Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Dutch farmers' protest party shakes up the Senate in the Netherlands. A farmers' protest party shook up the political landscape in the Netherlands on Wednesday, emerging as the big winner in provincial elections that determine the make-up of the Senate. The BBB or BoerBurgerBeweging (Farmer-Citizen Movement) party rode a wave of protests against the government's environmental policies and looked set to have won more Senate seats than Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party. Rutte's government has not had a Senate majority since the previous provincial elections in 2019 and must negotiate deals with mostly left-wing opponents. BBB won a single Lower House seat in 2021, but its popularity has surged on the back of growing distrust of the government and anger over issues such as immigration.

☆ Farmers' protest party set to shake up Dutch political landscape
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Bart H. Meijer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, March 15 (Reuters) - A farmers' protest party looks set to shake up the political landscape in the Netherlands on Wednesday, with polls indicating it will be the big winner in provincial elections that determine the make-up of the Senate. The BBB or BoerBurgerBeweging (Farmer-Civilian Movement) party is expected to ride a wave of protests against the government's environmental policies and is poised to win more Senate seats than Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party, a poll by research company I&O showed last week. The BBB says the problem has been exaggerated and that proposed solutions will lead to farm closures and food production shortages. The party won a single Lower House seat in 2021, but its popularity has surged on the back of growing distrust of the government and anger over issues such as immigration. Rutte's government, in its fourth consecutive term since 2010, has dropped to a 20% approval rating, its lowest in a decade.

☆ Dutch gov't, Shell and Exxon ignored Groningen risks for years, inquiry finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Workers rebuild homes in the northern Dutch town of Overschild, where earthquakes from natural gas extraction have made them unsafe, Netherlands, March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Anthony Deutsch/File PhotoAMSTERDAM, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Dutch government and energy companies Shell (SHEL.L) and Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) ignored the risks of gas production in Groningen for years, to the detriment of people living in the province, a parliamentary inquiry concluded on Friday. The massive Groningen field is operated by Shell and Exxon joint venture NAM and was one of Europe's major suppliers of natural gas for decades. Groningen gas production has been cut back significantly over the past decade and will be halted in the coming year because of the threat to life and property from the resulting earth tremors. "Gas extraction in Groningen was so successful and lucrative for the Dutch government, Shell and Exxon Mobil that they hardly took any notion of the long-term risks and the ever-clearer signs of the detrimental effects for the people in Groningen," it said.

☆ America's hazy chip deal fogs market signals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Having unveiled sweeping new curbs targeting the People's Republic in October, American officials have lobbied friendly governments to follow suit. Companies like Dutch giant ASML and Tokyo Electron enjoy near-monopolies in chipmaking equipment, namely lithography machines and silicon-wafer coatings. Preventing them from selling to Chinese companies would deal a serious blow to Beijing’s technological progress. ASML and Tokyo Electron currently generate 15% and 26% of annual sales from China, respectively, and the People's Republic is Japan's top trading partner. Shares of Japanese suppliers including Tokyo Electron, ASML-rival Nikon and Canon all opened flat on Monday morning.

☆ U.S. secures deal with Netherlands, Japan on China chip export limit- Bloomberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan addresses the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The United States has secured a deal with the Netherlands and Japan to restrict exports of some advanced chip-making machinery to China in talks that concluded on Friday, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Officials from the Netherlands and Japan were in Washington discussing a wide range of issues in talks led by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, earlier said the officials were talking about issues that are "important to all three of us." When asked about the Bloomberg report, the White House declined to comment beyond Kirby's earlier remarks.

☆ Dutch PM Rutte: may not disclose result of U.S. chip export control talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday that it is not clear whether his government will disclose the result of ongoing talks with the U.S. over new export restrictions for the semiconductor industry. A Dutch delegation is in the U.S. on Friday for talks. "Those talks have been going on for a long time and we're not saying anything about it," Rutte said. Asked whether ASML would not need to be informed of the decision in order to implement new restrictions, Rutte said government communications with the company "are also private." Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Toby Sterling, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan, Netherlands to join U.S. in restricting chip equipment exports to China, Bloomberg reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Japan and the Netherlands will soon agree to join the United States in restricting exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, Bloomberg News reported. Japan would impose similar restrictions on Nikon Corp (7731.T), the report said. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara, a government spokesperson, said Japan would make "appropriate steps" based on the United States' and other nations' regulatory moves. "We have been in discussion with the United States and other countries regarding the export-control regime," Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, told reporters on Friday. "A balance needs to be struck so no one among Japan, the United States and Europe will be disproportionately disadvantaged.

☆ ASML beats earnings forecasts, sees 2023 growth amid China worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It said its order backlog had grown to a record 40 billion euros ($43.62 billion) at the end of the year. ""We just have to wait for the governments and the politicians to keep talking and come to a reasonable solution (on possible restrictions)," Wennink said. The company had China sales worth 2.16 billion euros in 2022 accounting for 14% of its total revenue. Veldhoven, Netherlands-based ASML reported fourth-quarter net profit of 1.82 billion euros, up from 1.77 billion a year earlier, on revenue of 6.43 billion euros. That beat analyst forecasts for a net profit of 1.70 billion euros on sales of 6.38 billion, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.

☆ ASML Q4 net profit $1.98 bln, sees sales up 25% in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VELDHOVEN, Netherlands, Jan 25 (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS), an equipment supplier to computer chip makers, on Wednesday reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and forecast sales growth of more than 25% in 2023. But Wennink said that so far "nothing has changed" since the U.S. imposed new export restrictions on its own companies in October. The Veldhoven, Netherlands based firm reported fourth-quarter net profit of 1.82 billion euros, up from net profit of 1.77 billion euros in the same period a year earlier, on revenue of 6.43 billion euros. Analysts had forecast net profit of 1.70 billion euros on sales of 6.38 billion euros, according to Refinitiv data. ($1 = 0.9169 euros)Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Tom Hogue and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ ASML CEO expects steady China sales in 2023 despite restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies ASML sees 2023 China sales around 2022 level of 2.2 bln eurosChinese orders make up about 15% of ASML backlogChinese chipmakers are simply shifting investment -CEOAMSTERDAM, Jan 25 (Reuters) - ASML Holding NV's (ASML.AS) exports to mainland China will likely hold at last year's level in 2023 despite ongoing U.S-Dutch government talks over new restrictions on the company's sales to the country, CEO Peter Wennink said on Wednesday. The company still sends older DUV machines to China, although these are now a focus of the U.S.-Dutch talks. Such sales totalled around 2.16 billion euros ($2.35 billion), or 14% of total revenue, last year, down marginally from 2.17 billion in 2021. "They just become very practical," he said, adding that Chinese customers are investing in 20 nanometre chips and larger - those considered cutting edge before the year 2014. ($1 = 0.9175 euros)Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: Russia decries German tanks decision, Ukraine 'sincerely grateful'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the German decision confirmed what she said was a "pre-planned war" against Moscow. UKRAINEUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was "sincerely grateful" to Germany and Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Berlin's "important and timely" decision to provide Kyiv with battle tanks. "The right decision by NATO Allies and friends to send main battle tanks to Ukraine. FRANCEThe French presidency welcomed Berlin's decision to send tanks to Ukraine and allow other states to do the same. NETHERLANDSThe Netherlands is prepared to deliver battle tanks to Ukraine if needed, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.

☆ Factbox: Tanks for Ukraine: who is lining up to send them?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jan 25 (Reuters) - Germany has approved sending tanks to Ukraine, after Britain said it would send Challenger 2 tanks and Poland pushed for Berlin's approval to send German-built Leopard 2 tanks. Ukraine has until recently faced resistance to its requests for main battle tanks to fight against invading Russian forces. It said it would send an initial company of 14 tanks. NORWAYThe Norwegian government is considering whether to send some of its Leopard tanks, newspapers reported. THE NETHERLANDSDutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the Netherlands was prepared to deliver battle tanks to Ukraine if needed.

"At the same time, we're estimating a mild recession in Europe and the United States that offset it. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, pointed out that the reopening could help supply chains work better and also boost consumer demand. CHINA-US TENSIONSAdjacent to the discussions on China's reopening was what it could mean for its existing tensions with the United States over issues such as technology, trade and Taiwan, which several WEF delegates expressed concern over. "I think both the U.S. and China will be hurt, which doesn't just mean the national entities but workforces, people will be hurt." For daily Davos updates in your inbox sign up for the Reuters Daily Briefing here.

☆ Dutch defence ministry advised against ASML exports to China in 2020 -FD
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Eva Plevier/File PhotoAMSTERDAM, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The Netherlands' defence ministry advised the government in 2020 not to allow semiconductor equipment supplier ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS) to export any of its most modern machines to China, Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad reported on Friday. The advice has been heeded, as ASML has not shipped EUV technology to Chinese customers. The publication comes as the Dutch government is weighing additional restrictions on ASML's exports of older equipment to China. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Jan. 17 he expected a "good outcome" to discussions with the United States on the matter after meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington. "In addition our most important strategic security partner, the United States, has made an urgent appeal to the Netherlands not to export the EUV technology to China."

Western forces on Friday agreed increases to their military support for Ukraine, but Germany wavered on further EU tank deliveries despite mounting calls from Kyiv and fellow allies. He stressed that he intends for Berlin to be prepared if and when a decision is taken on Leopard 2 tanks. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for battle tanks from its Western allies, with Germany's Leopard 2 units being of particular interest. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted that receiving supplies of Western tanks must outpace another Russian attack. In the hours before the meeting, the Kremlin said that Western tanks for Ukraine would "change nothing" and would not stop Russia from achieving its goals, Reuters reported.

☆ From green subsidies to chips, Davos debates reflect a world in flux
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Davos, Switzerland CNN —The World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps is typically a venue for politicians and business leaders to deliver sermons about the benefits of globalization and cross-border cooperation. European leaders used Davos to amplify complaints about the law’s tax breaks for American companies that make parts for green energy projects, which they claim will disadvantage European firms. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Representatives from Asia’s third largest economy showed up in force at Davos to meet with international investors. “We’re looking at a less efficient world,” US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said.

☆ Dutch export rules on China in focus ahead of ASML results
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Tosterling Stephanie Van Den Berg | Stephanie Van Den Berg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

One is making sure Dutch rules are drafted in such a way that they are not actually more restrictive for ASML than for U.S. companies. ASML is expected to post fourth-quarter net income of 1.68 billion euros ($1.82 billion) on record revenue of 6.37 billion euros, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. In November ASML raised its annual revenue estimates by 25% to at least 30 billion euros by 2025. There could be further losses from tougher Dutch rules, if for example, limits are re-applied to sales to China of older technology deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) equipment. ASML has sold more than 8 billion euros worth of such equipment in China since 2014, when DUV was removed from international lists of goods deemed of possible military use.

☆ The whole West is threatened if an aggressor isn't challenged, Dutch PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Hannah Ward-Glenton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Europe needs to do more to support Ukraine, according to the Dutch prime minister. "If an aggressor is not challenged and can go about his business, it won't end with Ukraine. The whole West is threatened," Rutte told CNBC, as he discussed Europe's response to the war in Ukriane at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "People feel that this is about values, that we cannot accept one country invading another country … It is also about our collective safety," he added. Rutte also said Europe needs to do more to help Ukraine, but that the issue of sending tanks is "a sensitive decision."

☆ Europe could have done more, earlier to stop dependence on Russian gas: Dutch PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEurope could have done more, earlier to stop dependence on Russian gas: Dutch PMMark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, speaks on a CNBC-moderated panel at Davos 2023.

☆ If an aggressor isn't challenged, the whole West is threatened: Dutch PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIf an aggressor isn't challenged, the whole West is threatened: Dutch PM saysThe Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that Europe needs to do everything it can to help Ukraine as our collective safety is put at risk by Russia's actions.

☆ Ukraine closer to receiving modern Western battle tanks, more Patriots
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Tom Balmforth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Ukrainian servicemen prepare a Polish self-propelled howitzer Krab to fire toward Russian positions, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, on a frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 17, 2023. Ukraine says the tanks would give its troops the mobile firepower to drive Russian troops out in decisive battles. Germany has been the West's biggest holdout on pledging tanks but a Cabinet minister said on Tuesday the issue would be the first to be decided by new defence minister Boris Pistorius. Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Tuesday evening said Ukrainian and Russian forces exchanged fire on the eastern frontline, where neither side has advanced much in recent months. Russian forces also launched 13 air raids and 23 shelling attacks from multiple rocket launchers, it said.

☆ Dutch PM Rutte sees progress in talks on U.S. chip export restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Tuesday said he saw gradual progress in talks over new restrictions the United States wants it to implement on exporting chip-making technology to China. "I think that step by step we will be able to reach a good outcome in cooperation," Rutte said in an interview with Dutch TV programme Nieuwsuur following his visit to the White House. The Netherlands is home to ASML Holding NV (ASML.AS), a key maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. But he also warned that global supply chains for simpler technologies should not be disrupted by export restrictions. Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling, editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dutch tech industry urges EU to take a stand on China chip exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Dutch tech industry group FME on Tuesday called for the European Commission to draft a position on whether and how to restrict computer chip technology exports to China, saying "more unified and powerful action" was needed from Europe. The call comes as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visits U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington. "In these times ... of geopolitical tensions, national and European strategic autonomy is of great importance," said FME chairman Theo Henrar. The Dutch trade minister on Sunday said she shared U.S. concerns about over-reliance on Asian chipmakers and that chip technology had military applications, but the Netherlands would not simply adopt American rules. FME represents the interests of 2,200 Dutch technology firms, including ASML and smaller equipment maker ASM International (ASMI.AS).

☆ Dutch to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine -ANP
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AMSTERDAM, Jan 17 (Reuters) - The Netherlands will send a Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine, Dutch news agency ANP reported on Tuesday, citing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Rutte is currently in Washington D.C. meeting U.S. President Joe Biden. ANP, citing a fireside chat between the two leaders, quoted Rutte as saying they would participate in a U.S.-German initiative to send the defence systems to Ukraine. Rutte said he had earlier spoken by telephone with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss the decision. Reporting by Toby Sterling, Editing by William Maclean and Jon BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dutch premier pledges Patriot missiles for Ukraine at Biden meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday that the Netherlands would offer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, a day after the top Dutch trade official balked at new U.S. restrictions on exporting chip-making technology to China. The Netherlands will join the United States and Germany in sending the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, Rutte told Biden at the White House. Biden told Rutte he looked forward to discussing ways to strengthen the supply chain as he welcomed the prime minister to the White House. Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher said on Sunday the Netherlands would not summarily accept demands by the United States on chip technology. Rutte told reporters on Friday that he did not feel pressure from Washington to adopt more restrictions on semiconductor exports to China.

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