ASTANA (Reuters) -German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday that Intel is committed to its plan to build plants in eastern Germany despite the U.S. chipmaker saying that it is delaying construction by two years as part of its cost-cutting plans.

The U.S. chipmaker’s move to delay the project in Magdeburg by about two years is a blow to the EU’s goal of producing one-fifth of the world’s semiconductors by 2030.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced disappointment Tuesday after US semiconductor giant Intel delayed plans to build a mega chip-making plant in Germany which had been championed by Berlin.

The news could be a blessing in disguise for Germany’s liberal finance minister, Christian Lindner, who has spent months trying to plug a €12-billion hole in his federal budget. [ Intel prepares for surge in applications for lucrative exit packages at Irish operation ]

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced on Monday that the US-based semiconductor giant is halting the construction of its chip manufacturing plant in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, for approximately two years.

US chipmaker Intel has delayed a construction project by two years amid cost-saving measures. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner called for funds earmarked for subsidies to be used to plug a federal budget gap.

Chip-making giant Intel on Monday said it was delaying its plans to build two mega chip-making factories in Germany and Poland as the company faces lower demand than anticipated.

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said that US tech giant Intel's decision to postpone plans to build a major chip factory in Germany won't change the government's strategy around building up semiconductor production in Europe.

US chipmaker Intel has announced it is postponing a $30 billion investment in Germany due to financial problems at the firm. But is the German government still committed to the investments?