The Dutch Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) has had its license to transport equipment to China partially revoked, showing U.S. efforts to influence chip-making equipment exports.
ASML’s Rejection and U.S.-China Tech Struggles
The Biden administration persuaded ASML to reject three high-end deep ultraviolet lithography equipment shipments, revealing U.S. efforts to limit China’s semiconductor technology access. Peter Wennink, ASML’s CEO, warned that such pressure may boost China’s efforts. Dutch trade and technological interests will be affected by the chip-making equipment embargo, which will cost billions.
For years, the U.S. has pressured the Netherlands to prohibit chip-making equipment exports to China to slow China’s technical progress. The newest incident continues the Trump administration’s 2018 drive to restrict China’s semiconductor equipment. The U.S. wants to preserve semiconductor dominance and hamper China’s self-reliance. U.S. lobbying persists despite Dutch official opposition, causing economic and geopolitical problems.
U.S. semiconductor export interference is part of a larger campaign to limit China’s technological access. The U.S. coerces semiconductor technology flow while the Netherlands rejects one-to-one export limitations. Economic and geopolitical factors motivate the U.S. assault against China’s semiconductor sector. The Biden administration continues its predecessor’s policy, committing to U.S. supremacy in this vital industry.
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China’s Resilience in Semiconductor Self-Sufficiency Despite U.S. Restrictions
China remains committed to semiconductor self-sufficiency despite U.S. constraints. Due to restricted access to U.S. suppliers, Chinese toolmakers are obtaining substantial orders and strengthening locally. China’s investment in mature process nodes and semiconductor self-sufficiency show a long-term strategy to endure U.S. restrictions. China will double its semiconductor production capacity, signifying a delayed but inevitable tech breakthrough.
China will spend the third most on fab equipment by 2024, according to SEMI. Chinese enterprises should invest in mature process nodes despite U.S. restrictions. By 2024, China’s capability will enhance worldwide semiconductor manufacturing, according to SEMI’s World Fab Forecast. This shows that the U.S. may have momentarily delayed China’s chip progress, but it cannot stop its tech growth.