Image reproduced from 公視新聞

According to a report by Reuters, Dutch semiconductor equipment giant ASML announced on Wednesday (9th) that in compliance with US regulations, it will no longer apply its diversity and inclusion (DEI) performance metrics to US employees, while maintaining existing targets in other markets. ASML is the world's largest supplier of chip manufacturing equipment.

A spokesperson for ASML responded via email to Reuters, stating, "ASML's longstanding policy is to hire the most qualified individuals, and we will continue to base our hiring on professional competence and performance." The spokesperson added, "KPI related to diversity and inclusion will not apply to US employees."

This change is one of the responses to the executive order signed by current US President Trump, which imposes restrictions on companies' internal diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, on the grounds that such policies may constitute "reverse discrimination" and "suppress merit-based advancement." Recently, several European companies have taken actions to adjust their DEI programs to avoid potential penalties and litigation risks.

According to ASML's latest annual report, the company has a total of 44,027 employees worldwide, of which about 19% (8,480 people) work in the US. The company's previously set DEI goals include raising the percentage of female executives to 14% by 2026 and achieving a female ratio of 24% among new hires and promotions by 2025. ASML emphasized that markets outside the US are not affected by this executive order and that its DEI goals and policies will continue to be promoted without significant changes in other locations, including the Netherlands.