Washington Blames ASML: According to the Trump Administration, It Secretly Sent Machinery to China

The most advanced lithography equipment from ASML has become the center of a new dispute between Washington and the Dutch company. As reported by Bloomberg, the Trump administration has sought clarification on the possibility that one of the sophisticated EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography) machines may have reached China despite the strict export bans imposed in recent years.

According to discussions between the parties, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick directly asked the leaders of ASML whether an EUV system, never authorized for export to China, could nonetheless have made its way to the country.

ASML's EUV machines currently represent the most advanced technology for semiconductor production. Companies like TSMC use them to produce high-performance processors destined for products from companies like Nvidia and Apple. Each system is comparable in size to a bus, is produced in limited quantities, and requires ongoing support from ASML technicians.

The company reiterated that it has never shipped any EUV machines to China and fully complies with international export regulations. After the meeting with Lutnick that took place in April, ASML also prepared an internal document titled "No Indication of Any ASML EUV System in China," which was subsequently shared with U.S. officials.

In the document, the company claims that there are currently 314 operational EUV systems in the world and 26 decommissioned units, with no installations present in China. ASML also asserts that it can automatically detect any disruptions, operational anomalies, or loss of connectivity across its entire fleet of machines.

The company has also highlighted another technical aspect: customers cannot remove, transport, or relocate an EUV system without the direct involvement of ASML, as handling procedures require highly specialized skills and dedicated equipment.

Despite these reassurances, strong doubts remain within the U.S. administration. Some officials claim to have evidence indicating the shipment of specialized transport equipment and other components associated with EUV systems to China. At the moment, however, no public documents or evidence of an operational EUV machine's presence in the country have been presented.

The matter is also particularly significant for Chinese ambitions in the field of artificial intelligence. The lack of access to EUV systems is considered one of the main obstacles for companies like Huawei in the large-scale production of next-generation AI chips. Despite this, the Chinese group has managed to close part of the technological gap with TSMC even without using ASML's most sophisticated equipment.

The confrontation between Washington and ASML is also part of a broader debate on tightening export controls. In the U.S., some lawmakers are pushing for new regulations that would extend restrictions to foreign suppliers, including ASML and Tokyo Electron, potentially banning the shipment of additional immersion DUV systems to China, an activity that the company estimates could generate about one-fifth of its projected revenue for 2026.