The U.S. Commerce Secretary warned ASML that an advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine may have reached China illicitly. Washington believes the transfer violates export controls intended to block Beijing from cutting-edge semiconductor technology. ASML holds a global monopoly on EUV systems required to produce the world’s most advanced chips.
ASML denied shipping any EUV machines to China. The company has faced a ban on selling these specific tools to the Chinese market since the first Trump administration. ASML continues to generate significant revenue by selling older deep ultraviolet (DUV) systems to China.
Any confirmed violation of the EUV ban threatens ASML’s business operations. The accusation intensifies the technology trade dispute between the U.S. and China. This development could trigger additional trade restrictions and global supply chain disruptions.