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 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's delay in constructing its German semiconductor plant disrupts the European Union's chip production goals under the EU Chips Act.