Europe Opposes US Restrictions on Export of Older ASML Semiconductor Equipment Models

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the Biden administration in the United States pressures to further block exports of equipment to China from ASML, a Dutch semiconductor equipment company known as the 'Super Eul,' the European Union (EU) and others are reportedly opposing the introduction of new regulations in response.

On the 20th (local time), Bloomberg News cited multiple sources reporting that the EU, the Netherlands, and the German governments are jointly conducting a lobbying campaign against imposing regulations on ASML. Bloomberg explained that this move is based on the judgment that European companies should not be harmed while American semiconductor equipment companies are operating in the Chinese market.

ASML is the world's only company that produces extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment necessary for cutting-edge processes. It is so powerful that global semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics, US-based Intel, and Taiwan's TSMC line up with billions of won to acquire ASML's equipment, earning it the nickname 'Super Eul.' The US has already pressured the Dutch government to prevent ASML from selling EUV equipment to China, and currently, ASML has not received export permits and cannot sell this equipment to China.

In this situation, the part where Europe opposes the US is that the US government is trying to block the export of deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment, an older model of the EUV equipment produced by ASML, to China. It is reported that the US government has been continuously pressuring the Netherlands and Europe since the first half of this year as China actively purchases DUV equipment.

However, Bloomberg reported that Europe argues that since Chinese companies have already purchased a large amount of DUV equipment, taking such measures against ASML is meaningless.

Bloomberg stated, "When the US announced semiconductor export controls to China earlier this month and presented specific policies, ASML and the forces politically supporting the company felt relieved," adding, "While American semiconductor equipment companies such as Applied Materials and Lam Research are facing difficulties due to these export controls, ASML has not been directly affected."

There is an analysis that if the US pushes ahead with export controls on DUV equipment despite Europe's opposition, conflicts could arise between the two sides. It is still uncertain whether the Biden administration can persuade the Dutch government, but currently, there is a difference in views between the two sides, and it is reported that an agreement is not possible at this time. China is the third-largest trading partner of the Netherlands, following Germany and Belgium.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.