The US Made the Dutch an Offer They Couldn’t Refuse

Corporate headquarters of ASML (NASDAQ:ASMLD)

ASML, a Dutch firm that currently is the world’s only manufacturer of the extreme ultraviolet lithography machines that produce the most advanced chips, is repeatedly getting stiff-armed by the US – intimidated into breaking deals and told not to sell a widening range of goods to China.

Back at the start of the year, after a sit-down with the consigliere for the White House, the Netherlands government thought it would be a very good idea...