US Commerce Secretary Warns ASML That Cutting-Edge Chip Machine May Have Illegally Reached China
Summary
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warns ASML that a cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet lithography machine — critical for making advanced chips and never legally permitted for export to China — may have illegally reached the country, posing a major challenge for the Dutch chip-equipment giant under the Trump administration.
Key Points
- US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warns ASML's senior leaders that one of the company's top-of-the-line extreme ultraviolet lithography machines may have illegally reached China, violating US-led export restrictions.
- EUV machines, which have never been permitted for shipment to China under restrictions imposed during the first Trump administration, are critical tools used by TSMC to manufacture advanced processors for companies like Nvidia and Apple.
- ASML is now facing its biggest challenge yet under the Trump administration as US officials press the Dutch chip-equipment giant over the potential breach of export controls.