ASML and EU Strategize Future of European Chip Industry
Veldhoven, Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
EU’s VP Virkkunen met with ASML leaders to strategize on Europe’s semiconductor future, focusing on innovative partnerships under the Chips Act to sustain technological progress.
Strategic Meeting for European Semiconductor Leadership
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen’s visit to ASML in the Netherlands marks a crucial step in strengthening Europe’s semiconductor capabilities. During the meeting with ASML’s leadership, including CEO Christophe Fouquet, discussions centered on the future of the European semiconductor ecosystem and the upcoming review of the EU Chips Act [1]. This strategic engagement comes at a critical time when ASML, despite recent market challenges showing a 4.9 percent drop in shares due to lower Q1 bookings [2], maintains its position as a key player in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
AI and Semiconductor Synergy
The timing of this meeting aligns with Europe’s broader technological ambitions, particularly in artificial intelligence development. Advanced microchips are recognized as essential building blocks for AI systems [3]. ASML’s CEO Christophe Fouquet has expressed optimism about the company’s growth trajectory, projecting sales for 2025 between $34.1 billion and $39.8 billion [4], despite current macroeconomic uncertainties driven by U.S. tariff concerns.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
Recent market data reveals significant shifts in the semiconductor landscape, with Dutch exports to China showing a 10.4% decline in March 2025 [5]. This decline reflects the clearing of ASML’s previous order backlog and the impact of trade restrictions. However, ASML’s leadership maintains a positive outlook, with CEO Fouquet stating that both 2025 and 2026 are expected to be growth years [6], though he acknowledges increased uncertainty in the macro environment due to recent tariff announcements.