The former CEO of ASML is of the opinion that the conflict regarding the control of semiconductor chips between the US and China will continue.

Wennink left his position after guiding ASML for a decade, during which it expanded to become Europe's largest tech firm. Since 2018, the U.S. has been imposing more restrictions on the firm's export capabilities to China, its second-largest market after Taiwan, due to security concerns. Recently, the U.S. has been working to prevent the firm from continuing to support equipment it has sold to Chinese customers.

"These discussions are not based on facts, substance, data, or knowledge," Wennink noted.

"You're entitled to your own opinions on this, but in our industry, we must consider the interests of our stakeholders," he said. "If ideology ignores these responsibilities, it worries me."

He highlighted that the company has been providing services to customers and employees in China for three decades, which comes with certain obligations.

To ensure balance, Wennink mentioned that he has attempted to sway decisions to prevent export bans from becoming too strict, while also raising concerns with top Chinese officials whenever he felt the company's intellectual property rights were being infringed upon.

"In Washington, there might have been a perception that Mr. Wennink was on China's side," he revealed. "But that's not true. My allegiance is to my customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders."