ASML Rejects Claims of EUV Shipments to China

The controversy follows reports that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick raised alarms during meetings with the company's leadership regarding potential violations of existing export restrictions. ASML maintained that it remains in full compliance with international trade controls, noting that it continuously adjusts its operations to align with evolving regulatory frameworks.

These machines, which weigh 180 tons and occupy the space of a school bus, represent the cutting edge of semiconductor manufacturing. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that it enforces a strict licensing regime under European Dual-Use regulations, ensuring that all sensitive technology remains subject to rigorous government oversight. While Washington has pushed for closer alignment among allies to curb China's chip-making capabilities, the industry remains caught in a high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war, complicated by recent claims that Chinese researchers are attempting to replicate advanced lithography systems independently.