Globally, the semiconductor world works as follows: the Americans design the chips, Europe, via ASML, supplies the etching material and Asia produces the chips. It’s an oversimplification, but that’s how it can be summed up.
However, while the Dutch company supplies the machinery needed to engrave the chips, it is forced to stop shipping them to China. Its export license has been partially revoked by the Dutch government… Following a request from the Americans.
ASML: no more exports of NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i machines to China!
Once again, all this has to do with the bellicose relationship between the USA and China. After banning certain components there, the US government is now attacking chip production machines.
ASML is now paying the price, having had its export licenses partially revoked. The company is now prohibited from selling DUV NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i machines used to manufacture 7 nm and 5 nm chips.
The aim of all this is to hinder China’s development in the semiconductor sector. More specifically, the aim is to put obstacles in the path of SMIC, China’s largest foundry.
From now on, if the Middle Kingdom wants to engrave chips more finely, it will have to content itself with improving the machines at its disposal… Which the country seems to be doing. However, this will take time, and the country will have to catch up with Western chips.
So, China is not only facing sanctions linked to graphics cards, but also production tools.
