ASML chief Christophe Fouquet warned Brussels that direct intervention in semiconductor supply chains will backfire, arguing that Europe must build its own champions. Only about 1 % of the Dutch firm’s sales come from the continent, while 80 % originate in Asia, exposing the company to geopolitical risk. This misalignment fuels doubts about the EU's procurement strategy.

Fouquet noted that Europe’s share of global chip activity sits at roughly 18 % of world GDP, far below the 80‑year‑old tech giants’ dominance. He warned that emergency powers to redirect supplies could push promising firms abroad, arguing instead for policies that lower permitting hurdles and boost capital access and foster competitive ecosystem for next‑generation fabs.

The Dutch company, the world’s sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, plans to boost output of its newest EUV units by 50 % this year while expanding a nearby plant near Veldhoven. Fouquet said construction still takes about four years due to planning constraints, a bottleneck that hampers rapid scale‑up for Europe’s semiconductor ambitions today.

Fouquet also highlighted the EU’s AI regulation and lengthy permitting as barriers, urging Brussels to ease rules for tech firms. He added that ASML’s growing profits could fund investments in European startups, citing recent stakes in French AI firm Mistral and German optics company Zeiss. The Dutch maker insists it will continue backing European innovation.