US-China chip war leads to restrictions on ASML exports

Following an order by the Dutch government, ASML — the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end chipmaking equipment — will curb shipments of two of its machines to China.

Specifically, the government has partially revoked the export licence of the NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i lithography systems, the company said in a statement. Much like its other products, the two lithography machines use light to print blueprints of patterns.

The Veldhoven-based company has already been prohibited from selling its most sophisticated machines to China since 2019. In September 2023, following months of pressure by the US, the Netherlands also introduced stricter export controls citing “national security interests.”

Meanwhile in October, Washington updated its export restrictions to include ASML’s TWinscan NXT1930Di machine — if it contains American-made components. This requires the company to apply for a US licence even though Dutch regulations allow exports of the product to China.