China’s Possible Access to Advanced Chip Technology Raises US Concerns

DID Press: The Economist has reported on the possibility that China may have gained access to one of the world’s most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, a technology considered essential for producing cutting-edge semiconductors and advanced artificial intelligence chips.

The report said EUV lithography systems, developed exclusively by Dutch company ASML, are among the most critical technologies in the global semiconductor industry because they enable the production of the smallest and most advanced transistors.

According to the report, the United States has restricted exports of these machines to China since 2019 in an effort to prevent Beijing from narrowing the technological gap in advanced chip production. US officials have recently raised concerns that China may have obtained access to such technology, a development that could affect the balance of power in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors.

ASML has rejected the possibility, saying unauthorized access or transfer of EUV technology is “practically impossible” due to the highly complex engineering, specialized components, and infrastructure required to build, install, and operate the machines.

The Economist noted that EUV technology has become a major geopolitical asset due to its importance in next-generation chip manufacturing, placing it at the center of the broader technological competition between the United States and China.