ASML restricted from shipping some chip-making equipment to China

Dutch semiconductor equipment company ASML said in an announcement on Monday that an export license for the shipment of some chip-making equipment to China has been partially revoked by the Dutch government.

A license for the shipment of NXT: 2050i and NXT: 2100i lithography systems in 2023 has recently been revoked, impacting a small number of customers in China, the company said.

The Dutch manufacturer had licenses to ship to Chinese firms three top-of-the-line deep ultraviolet lithography machines, which are used to create semiconductors that power everything from smartphones to sophisticated military gear.

In a statement, the company also said it's held recent discussions with the US government about the scope and impact of its export control regulations, without elaborating further details.

In 2023, the US government announced new rules giving Washington the right to restrict the export of ASML's Twinscan NXT1930Di machine if it contains any US parts. Amid US government export restrictions, the Dutch government tightened export controls on China last year, restricting the DUV machines, the second most advanced product line the company offers from Jan 1.

chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn