US may push tighter limits on ASML exports to China

The United States government may pressure the Dutch government to make ASML stop nearly all exports of chip-making equipment to China, according to a report cited from the Netherlands-based NU portal. ASML is reportedly facing renewed pressure as Washington lobbies against shipments of its machinery to mainland Chinese customers.

The most advanced Extreme Ultraviolet lithography tools are already barred from sale in China after earlier US pressure on the Dutch government. ASML has never shipped a single EUV scanner to China, with Dutch authorities blocking exports in 2019.

Export restrictions have since expanded toward older Deep Ultraviolet scanners, which require a national export license before shipment to China. A bipartisan bill now before Congress, the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act, would further tighten controls by pushing allied countries to adopt a technology ban on exports of older DUV machines.

If adopted, the measures could sharply reduce ASML’s remaining exposure to China by targeting equipment that had continued to be available under licensing rules.