ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet warned that export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment might backfire. According to the Financial Times, these measures could push Chinese firms, specifically Huawei, to accelerate the development of their own domestic technologies instead of relying on foreign suppliers.
The company's EUV scanner consists of over 100,000 components sourced from approximately 200 key suppliers and 2,000 companies. Major partners include Zeiss for optics, Trumpf for lasers, and VDL for high-precision parts. Due to this complex supply chain, replicating the technology remains a significant challenge.
Despite being denied access to EUV systems and facing hurdles with older DUV equipment, Chinese manufacturers are adapting. Huawei and local foundries are modifying production processes and optimizing existing DUV machinery to produce 7nm-class chips. US authorities are now considering further tightening export controls on ASML shipments to China.
