During POLITICO’s Competitive Europe summit in Brussels on Wednesday, Frank Heemskerk, executive vice president of global public affairs at Dutch semiconductor giant ASML, criticised the European Union for being relatively inaccessible to companies operating in Europe.
When asked whether ASML had sufficient access to top European policymakers, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Heemskerk stated candidly, “It’s not always easy.”
He added that “It’s easier to get a meeting in the White House with a senior official than to get a meeting with a commissioner,” quoting a previous ASML executive.
Heemskerk highlighted a recent engagement with India as a contrasting example.
ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet held a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Heemskerk recounted, “After an hour and a half of listening, he [PM Modi] said You’re too friendly, tell me what we can do better.”
The executive emphasised that European policymakers would do well to learn from such engagement.
“The political leaders should sit down with the companies that are investing money,” he said, stressing that active dialogue with investors is critical for industrial and technological growth.
Strategic AI Collaboration
Heemskerk also discussed ASML’s recent €1.3 billion deal with French artificial intelligence company Mistral, a development viewed as a significant boost for Europe’s technological sovereignty.
“Of course, it’s easier that it’s a European company; it is easier to understand each other,” he said.
He stressed, however, that the partnership is driven primarily by Mistral’s focus on industrial AI rather than geopolitics.
“It’s much more an industrial AI focus than anything around geopolitics,” he added.
The ASML executive’s remarks underscore the challenges European companies face in accessing key decision-makers, even as they drive substantial investment and innovation.
The contrast between ASML’s EU experience and its productive discussions in India illustrates the competitive stakes for Europe’s semiconductor and industrial AI sectors.
As Europe seeks to strengthen its technological and industrial capabilities, Heemskerk suggested that policymakers prioritise engagement with companies actively investing in innovation.
ASML’s discussions with India and its industrial AI collaboration with Mistral demonstrate strategic initiatives necessary to maintain a global competitive edge. Heemskerk implied that European leaders must improve accessibility and collaboration with domestic companies to ensure Europe remains a strong technology hub.
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