The Dutch government last year partially revoked a licence for ASML to export lithography systems to China, the company confirmed on Tuesday.

The export licence for the NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i ultra-violet systems, which cost €80 million to €90 million each, was withdrawn under pressure from the US government, according to news agency Bloomberg.

NOS says the news is notable because a formal ban on exporting the systems to China came into effect on January 1.

ASML did not give a date for the start of the change in status but did say a “small number of clients” in China would be affected. “ASML is fully committed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations including export control legislation in the countries in which we operate,” the company said.

China told news agency Reuters in a reaction that the Netherlands should “respect the law”.