EU to air ideas on guarding prized
technology with eye on China
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[June 19, 2023]
By Philip Blenkinsop
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will unveil on Tuesday
possible measures, such as screening of outbound investments and export
controls, to keep prized EU technology from countries such as China and
prevent it being put to military use by rivals. |
Employees are seen working on the final
assembly of ASML's TWINSCAN NXE:3400B semiconductor lithography tool
with its panels removed, in Veldhoven, Netherlands, in this picture
taken April 4, 2019. Bart van Overbeeke Fotografie/ASML/Handout via
REUTERS/File Photo |
The
European Union executive will present its Economic Security
Strategy as a "communication" to EU lawmakers and countries,
whose leaders are set to discuss relations with China in
Brussels next week.
While not a formal legislative proposal, the communication will
lay out strategies the 27-nation EU should consider as it seeks
to "de-risk" from China and avoid sensitive technology leaking
out through exports or investments abroad.
The Commission will need to tread carefully because granting of
export licences and weighing security interests are national
competences that EU governments will want to retain.
A Dutch plan that effectively bars Chinese companies from buying
the most advanced lithography tools of ASML, which are used to
make semiconductors, is a case in point. The Dutch acted alone,
but wanted restrictions throughout the EU. EU officials point
out there is no clear way to do this.
The EU does control exports of specified "dual-use" goods that
can have military applications, but this does not cover emerging
technologies.
"EU member states are not ready to hand over export controls as
a whole but we will probably see something more along the lines
of greater cooperation," an EU diplomat said.
EU diplomats say the bloc must determine carefully what risks it
wants to limit and establish that they cannot be contained by
existing measures.
The Commission could suggest also some form of screening of
foreign students planning to study in technical fields, for
which the Dutch are considering legislation.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Emma Rumney)
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