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ASML CEO says EU Commission should not try to direct 'strategic projects' - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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ASML CEO says EU Commission should not try to direct 'strategic projects'

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 5, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: June 5, 2026

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ASML CEO says EU Commission should not try to direct 'strategic projects'

ASML CEO Responds to EU Commission's Tech Sovereignty Proposals

By Toby Sterling

ASML CEO Welcomes Most EU Proposals

AMSTERDAM, June 5 (Reuters) - The CEO of top European tech firm ASML on Friday welcomed most proposals made by the EU Commission this week to improve Europe's tech sovereignty but cautioned against plans for its involvement in steering or monitoring "strategic projects" eligible for state aid.

Concerns Over Steering 'Strategic Projects'

Such projects "fundamentally need to respond to the needs of industry" and are better off left to firms to propose, Christopher Fouquet said in a LinkedIn post.

Need to Avoid Bureaucracy

"We need to avoid the risk of over-complication and bureaucracy, while relying on private sector expertise," Fouquet said.

Industry Reactions to EU's Technology Package

Fouquet’s remarks are among the first from a leading figure in European industry to the package, which is the centrepiece of Brussels’ plan to close the bloc’s technology gap with the United States and Asia.

Measures to Stimulate Demand

The plan includes measures to stimulate demand for European-made chips and local cloud services. Fouquet said the Commission's new focus on demand-driven policy is a positive development.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Joe Bavier)

Key Takeaways

  • Fouquet supports the EU’s ‘tech sovereignty’ package, including Chips Act 2.0, Cloud & AI Development Act, Open Source Strategy, and AI/energy roadmap, aiming to boost Europe’s autonomy in critical tech areas (digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu).
  • He cautions against Commission oversight in ‘strategic projects’ eligible for state aid, arguing that private sector guidance is more effective than bureaucratic direction (apnews.com).
  • Context: the EU’s package addresses dependencies on non‑EU suppliers in semiconductors, AI, cloud, and energy, signaling a broader shift toward European self‑sufficiency in technology (apnews.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What concerns did the ASML CEO express about the EU Commission’s tech proposals?
ASML’s CEO warned against the EU Commission becoming directly involved in steering or monitoring strategic projects, suggesting reliance on private sector expertise instead.
Which proposals by the EU Commission did ASML support?
The ASML CEO welcomed most of the EU Commission's proposals aimed at improving Europe’s tech sovereignty.
Why does ASML oppose Commission involvement in strategic state-aided projects?
ASML believes the Commission should trust private sector know-how when it comes to managing strategic tech projects receiving state aid.
How did ASML respond to the EU proposals?
The CEO responded in a LinkedIn post, supporting most measures but cautioning against Commission oversight of strategic projects.

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