A senior executive from ASML, a major semiconductor company, has critiqued the ease with which European companies can interact with EU officials. Frank Heemskerk, ASML’s Vice President of Global Public Affairs, made the comments during a Brussels summit. When questioned about access to top figures like Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Heemskerk responded that access is ‘not always easy.’ He cited that it is easier to meet with a senior official in the White House. This follows news that ASML’s CEO, Christophe Fouquet, had a two-hour meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Heemskerk shared that after a lengthy discussion, the Prime Minister directly asked how things could be improved. The ASML executive stressed the importance of European policymakers engaging with companies that are investing. Heemskerk also commented on the deal with Mistral, saying that the reason for it was ‘Mistral’s focus on industrial AI.’
