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ASML expects slower growth in 2025 due to weak electronics

markets

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CEO Fouquet anticipates continued U.S. pressure on ASML's

China

exports

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Sees 2026 growth, shares up 1.8%

LONDON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - The CEO of leading computer

chip equipment maker ASML said on Tuesday he expects

that 2026 will be a growth year for the company and that the

U.S. government will continue to push for further restrictions

on its exports to China.

Christophe Fouquet's remarks come a week after ASML shook

markets with a warning it will see lower growth in 2025 because

apart from chips related to AI, electronics markets are weak.

ASML's biggest customer is TSMC of Taiwan, which

makes chips for Nvidia ( NVDA ) and is building several new

factories. ASML still expects its sales to grow in 2025, albeit

at a slower pace.

"We also expect 2026 to be a growth year, but it's too

early to quantify that with very high accuracy," Fouquet said.

Shares rose 1.8% to 668.60 euros at 0851 GMT.

Fouquet said he expects pressure on the company's exports

to China will continue regardless of who wins the U.S.

presidential election.

"If you look at the geopolitical landscape, I think it's

clear that the United States will continue to apply pressure on

their side for more restriction."

ASML sees future China sales at 20% of its total, down from

50% in recent quarters, for the older equipment the company

sells that does not fall under restrictions.

He said that the Netherlands and Europe are debating

whether further restrictions fall under national security or

trade policy, and whether they would even work.

"One of the debates is, is it really about national

security?" he said, noting the economic competition between the

U.S. and China.

"The other debate you start to see ... is does it help us

or does it hurt us? I see a lot of companies in the U.S. that

start to also ask that question."

Fouquet was speaking at a Bloomberg technology conference

in London.