Concerns Over Semiconductor Technology and China
The Trump administration is reportedly worried that advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Europe may have reached the Chinese government.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently discussed his concerns with semiconductor company ASML about the potential sale of one of its chip printing machines to China. This information comes from sources cited by Bloomberg. Previously, ASML was restricted from sending extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) tools to China due to export controls implemented during Trump’s first term.
ASML has refuted claims that it shipped any EUV machines to China, as reported by Reuters on Friday. In a statement, the company emphasized, “ASML has never shipped EUV equipment to China, nor has it sent any components, modules, or equipment intended for EUV use.”
The spokespersons for ASML and the Department of Commerce have not responded to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Around this technology, ASML describes EUV lithography as impactful on a small scale, utilizing light at a wavelength of only 13.5 nanometers—essentially in the X-ray range—to manufacture microchips.
The U.S. government has specifically targeted China by tightening export controls on high-end semiconductors since 2018, part of a broader initiative to curb China’s capabilities in advanced chip production and artificial intelligence technologies. A report by TrendForce anticipates that China’s high-end AI chip market will grow by over 60% in 2026.
A report from the House of Commons Select Committee on China earlier this year revealed that China employs both “legal and illegal” strategies to produce semiconductors and advance AI technology. The report notes that China uses intricate smuggling operations to acquire restricted AI chips.
Additionally, various reports have highlighted that the Chinese government is actively trying to steal intellectual property from the United States and other nations.
Recently, NBC News mentioned that several companies are supporting a bill requiring advanced U.S. AI chips to feature enhanced security measures to prevent them from being accessible to countries like China.
