In recent years, in order to suppress the development of China's semiconductor industry, the United States has taken every possible measure, implementing a series of export control measures, including restricting the export of advanced lithography machines from Dutch machine maker ASML to China.
According to a report by Bloomberg on June 19, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross recently questioned whether ASML had violated U.S. export controls by exporting EUV lithography machines to China. ASML immediately denied this claim, emphasizing that the company always complies with U.S. regulations and has never exported related equipment to China.
Sources revealed that at a meeting covering various issues including ASML’s investment in the US, Luteck expressed “concerns” to ASML’s executives. He questioned whether ASML was complying with the US-led export controls on EUV lithography machines. It is unclear what the specific reason for Luteck’s question is, nor is it clear what the US government hopes to gain from ASML.
These sources said that Asmos executives refuted Lutnick’s statements at the meeting. They explained that EUV lithography machines are large in size, with limited production capacity, and require continuous maintenance by Asmos employees.
ASML EUV Lithography Machine
The U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House have not commented on this news yet. ASML quickly denied the rumors, saying in a statement: "ASML has never exported EUV lithography machines to China, nor has it ever exported any components, modules, or equipment designed specifically for EUV lithography machines to China."
Aerospace Industry spokeswoman said that Aerotech regularly engages in conversations with global government leaders, committed to complying with laws in the United States and the Netherlands.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying: "In the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, the Netherlands follows clear rules and regulatory lists. All equipment, components, and technologies that fall within the scope of regulation require a license." The ministry added that the Netherlands strictly enforces relevant policies and will take intervention measures when necessary.
Regarding the situation where the United States is coercing the Netherlands to impose technological blockades on China, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman previously stated that China has always opposed the United States' generalization of the concept of national security and its use of various pretexts to force other countries to implement such technological blockades against China. The semiconductor industry is highly globalized. In the context of deep economic integration among countries, the US's arrogant and bullying actions seriously violate international trade rules, severely undermine the global semiconductor industry structure, and pose a serious threat to the safety and stability of the international industrial chain and supply chain. Such actions will inevitably have negative consequences for the United States itself.
The Chinese side urges the Dutch side to maintain an objective and fair stance and market principles, respect the spirit of contracts, and take concrete actions to safeguard the common interests of China and the Netherlands, as well as those of their respective enterprises. It is also important to maintain the stability of the international industrial chain and supply chain, as well as a free, open, fair, and non-discriminatory international trade environment. The Chinese side will closely monitor the relevant developments and firmly safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests.
