U.S. and Dutch Governments Tighten Export Controls on Quantum Computing Technology

The U.S. Commerce Department and the Netherlands' government have collaboratively introduced stringent export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, quantum computing items, and GAAFET field-effect transistors to safeguard emerging technologies and prevent their proliferation to potential adversaries.

The coordinated effort between the U.S. and the Netherlands demonstrates a united front to protect critical technologies from falling into the wrong hands. These export controls are designed to curb the potential misuse of high-performance computing and quantum technologies in areas like artificial intelligence, surveillance, and advanced military systems.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security recently implemented new rules to regulate the export of advanced technologies covering semiconductor manufacturing tools essential for producing cutting-edge chips, integral to AI, supercomputing, and other high-performance applications.

The new controls extend to GAAFET technology, which plays a critical role in creating high-performance chips for supercomputers, and quantum computing technology, including hardware, components, and software related to the development of quantum computers.

Simultaneously, the Netherlands has updated its export restrictions, requiring ASML, a key player in the semiconductor industry, to apply for export licenses for its TWINSCAN NXT:1970i and 1980i deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems. These machines are crucial for advanced semiconductor production, and the new requirement ensures that they are not shipped to countries that could use them to enhance military capabilities.

With international partnerships and harmonized export restrictions, these measures are expected to tighten access to crucial semiconductor and quantum computing technologies, preventing their use in ways that could threaten global security.