ASML Holdings (NASDAQ:ASML) gained greater than 2% on Friday as it was reported the Dutch defense ministry told the federal government in 2020 to disallow exports of the corporate’s semiconductor gear to China.

According to the Het Financieele Dagblad, the defense ministry stated the angle of the nation’s navy was such as that “in the mid-to-long-term it’s of significance … that ASML not be granted any export allow for the supply of EUV machines to China and that this distinctive know-how be protected as a lot as doable.”

ASML’s (ASML) excessive ultraviolet, or EUV, machines use gentle wavelengths to print complicated designs on chips. They have been the topic of scrutiny from the Biden Administration over issues over the rise of China’s semiconductor trade and the potential for makes use of in navy purposes.

Het Financieele Dagblad obtained the data through a Freedom of Information Act.

Netherlands-based ASML (ASML) didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Seeking Alpha.

In December, the Netherlands – ASML’s (ASML) residence nation – and Japan reportedly agreed in precept to be a part of the U.S. in cracking down on exporting semiconductor gear equipment to China.

Prior to that, Dutch commerce minister Liesje Schreinemacher stated the European nation was talking with the U.S. to talk about the brand new export controls for semiconductor gear to China, including “nationwide safety curiosity is of the utmost significance.”

Late final 12 months, ASML (ASML) CEO Peter Wennink stated if Chinese semiconductor corporations weren’t in a position to broaden capability previous present metrics, it might not alter the chip gear agency’s outlook for 2030 “that a lot.”