The Netherlands announced the details of the ASML shipment ban, and the situation has been decided: it has nothing to do with the United States?
In September last year, Dutch semiconductor companies announced a ban on the export of ASML equipment. But the ban didn't last long, and it wasn't until the end of the year that ASML's lithography equipment was approved. According to ASML, the equipment delivered to the customer in China last year is nearing completion.
But soon after, Dutch semiconductor withdrew its license from ASML and banned ASML from producing restricted lithography machines. This move by the Netherlands was seen by many as a step backwards.
So, why is the Netherlands not allowing ASML shipments?
Some time ago, Dutch executives disclosed in detail the export ban of ASML. According to people familiar with the matter, the refusal to issue the license was due to concerns that Chinese companies were using ASML's semiconductor equipment for improper purposes. Meanwhile, a Dutch senior** revealed that more than 20 such orders are expected to be received this year. He did not give more details about the license.
When asked why the shipping license was canceled so soon and whether U.S. semiconductor companies had put pressure on ASML not to allow the production of lithography machines, the senior executive dodged the question and even claimed that he had approved ASML's production license.
This attitude reveals a message that ASML cannot send out at will this year.
After all, the semiconductor companies in the Netherlands think that as long as we have lithography equipment, they can use it to produce the best value of semiconductors. However, let's not forget that deep UV lithography is a well-established technology and it is theoretically impossible to produce the most advanced chips. It's hard to hear that this is an excuse for them to cancel the licensing regime, and they don't want to be held responsible.
In addition, they implied that ASML could not be sent, could not be sent, and could not be sent. Obviously, the Netherlands ** is avoiding the issue and does not want the Americans to get involved in the matter. Because before the tripartite agreement was reached, American semiconductor companies had already begun to export semiconductor equipment to Dutch semiconductor companies.
The two sides admitted that they could not reach an agreement because American semiconductors did not meet the requirements of the Netherlands. Negotiations continued, and the Netherlands announced a ban on lithography equipment. They deliberately did not hide it before, but now they are doing so to prevent American semiconductor companies from carrying the blame.
But is this question really irrelevant to old America?
The Netherlands seems to be making a fool of itself. Last year, it was reported that the U.S. semiconductor company imposed restrictions on two types of deep ultraviolet lithography equipment without a Dutch license. In response, the Netherlands said that this practice is unacceptable and that the market for its company, ASML, must be protected. In other words, the Netherlands banned lithography, while the good old America, could not stay out of it. The only puzzling question is why the Netherlands is now avoiding the question.
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