US wants to stop ASML exports to China

Bloomberg News reports that the US has asked ASML to stop selling its old deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) systems to China. These machines are used to make chips used to manufacture cars, phones, computers and robots. A blockade would put Chinese manufacturers and thus the government under considerable pressure.

This is not the first time the US government has knocked on ASML’s door, having made a request during a business trip to our country in May. Earlier, the export of new generation, advanced ultraviolet lithography systems (EUV) was banned. The export has been stopped because the Dutch government has not issued an export licence. It is not known whether the Dutch government will agree to extend China’s blacklist. Further expansion of trade barriers will strain our trade relations with China.

War on the Chips

U.S. demand for the Netherlands is further fueling strategic competition for chipmakers. China, Europe and the US are engaged in a fierce battle for dominance in chip technology. ASML is a major manufacturer of chip manufacturing machines. It is the largest manufacturer of lithography systems – machines that perform a critical step in the semiconductor manufacturing process.

He also approached

Belgian business newspaper De Dijt reports that imec has received a request from the US to keep ties with China to a minimum. US Commerce Undersecretary Dan Graves also reportedly approached the research firm in May.