US-China Tech Tensions Escalate Over ASML’s EUV Lithography Machines

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's private warnings to ASML executives reveal ongoing US concerns about sensitive technology transfers to China. Despite recent loosening of chip export restrictions by the Trump administration, Washington maintains strict oversight of advanced semiconductor equipment.

ASML categorically denies shipping any EUV machines or related components to China, while Dutch authorities emphasize strict compliance with export controls. The 180-ton EUV systems remain critical for producing cutting-edge chips used by industry leaders like Nvidia.

China's attempts to develop domestic EUV capabilities, potentially aided by former ASML engineers, underscore the high-stakes race for semiconductor supremacy. The technological gap in chip manufacturing continues to shape geopolitical competition between the world's two largest economies.