ASML once again finds itself in Washington’s crosshairs as a congressional inquiry calls for a blanket ban on DUV immersion exports to China.
An investigation from the US House Select Committee on China has sparked fresh calls for much tighter restrictions on chipmaking equipment sales to China, potentially affecting ASML’s sales there. The report calls for “creative approaches” as well as “points of asymmetric leverage” to “incentivize compliance” of allied nations (including the Netherlands) with US export controls.
One suggested angle is the trade deals with the EU and Japan concerning semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) that are currently being put on paper. “Any finalized deal with the European Union or Japan should include restrictions on ASML’s and TEL’s ability to sell advanced and foundational SME into China, potentially paired with joint investment into the SME ecosystem across the three markets,” the report states. More drastic, unilateral measures are on the table as well.
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