Imec will reduce its partnerships with Chinese companies and universities. Geopolitical relations between the West and China are putting pressure on Imec’s neutral position.

Imec has “dramatically” reduced partnerships with Chinese institutions, Politico has learned from the cabinet of Flemish Economy Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V). The Leuven chip research center makes a rather cautious statement: It tells Politico that IMEC has a “robust, voluntary policy regarding cooperation with Chinese companies and universities.” “Our policies have been further refined in response to global geopolitical developments,” adds imec.

Switzerland

Neutrality has always been an important principle for imec. The research center described itself as “the Switzerland of the chip industry”. Imec has partners worldwide, in the USA, but also in China. In the past, the company has worked with, among others, Chinese chipmaker SMIC and Huawei: two companies that ended up on the blacklist in many Western countries.

Neutrality under pressure

Due to these geopolitical tensions between the West and China, IMEC’s ​​neutral position is now under pressure. Brouns told Politico in a previous interview that IMEC should better choose its partners carefully and focus on “like-minded countries.” Today, China is no longer one of them. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) said during a recent state visit to China that “imec will continue to do business with China, but there are some sectors they need to pay more attention to.”

Imec has little choice in adapting to geopolitical reality. The rivalry between Washington and Beijing appears to be heating up, with the US putting pressure on its allies in Europe to cut ties with China. Imec plays an important role in the European Union’s chip strategy. In the competition for the savings pot that Europe has made available for this purpose, the IMEC has no choice but to show its colors.