Dutch government retakes export control over two ASML tools from US
Dutch will oversee licensing for all DUV immersion tools
ASML says the change in oversight will not impact earnings
Move aligns US, Dutch policy
Controls on DUV tools follow Chinese engineering advances
Updates with share price in paragraph 4, detail in 13-17
By Toby Sterling
AMSTERDAM, Sept 6 (Reuters) -The Dutch government on Friday said it would expand export licensing requirements for some ASML ASML.AS chipmaking equipment, effectively retaking oversight over it from the United States and aligning the two countries' policy.
The United States had previously unilaterally regulated those tools, as part of its campaign to restrict access to advanced technology by Chinese chipmakers who could contribute to Beijing's technological and military advances.
ASML said in a statement that it did not expect the change in oversight to impact earnings this year or in the future.
Shares of the Netherlands-based ASML, Europe's largest technology firm, traded down 1.6% at 708.40 euros at 0915 GMT.
"I'm making this decision for our safety," said Dutch Trade Minister Reinette Klever, announcing the update.
"We see that due to technological developments there are more safety risks in the export of these specific production machines."
While the U.S. and Netherlands remain in talks over export policy, Friday's decision is a practical move that should relieve some tension between the governments.
The machines in question, ASML's 1970i and 1980i DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) immersion lithography tools, are approximately in the middle of its product range.
Under U.S. pressure, the Dutch government has never allowed ASML to ship its very best EUV tools to Chinese customers, while it began requiring a license for NXT:2000 series and better of DUV tools in Sept. 2023.
ASML warned Chinese customers not to expect delivery of those tools starting in 2024.
However in October 2023, the U.S. unilaterally began restricting ASML's shipment of the 1970i and 1980i tools, on the argument that they contain some U.S. parts.
Members of the Dutch parliament raised questions about the implications for the Netherlands' sovereignty, while ASML struggled to keep up with separate licensing requirements in the U.S. and Netherlands.
The U.S. Department of Commerce updated its export rules on Thursday, and the updated Dutch rules adopted U.S. wording in relevant passages on lithography, ASML's segment.
ASML's machines use lasers to help create the tiny circuitry of chips.
Interest in the 1980i and 1970i machines follows success by Chinese firms such as SMIC 0981.HK at making advanced chips by running silicon wafers under such DUV tools many times, a process known as "multipatterning."
At an event in New York on Wednesday, ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet said Chinese chipmakers will be able to produce chips at the 7nm, 5nm and eventually 3nm technology levels using DUV tools -- better than limits set by Washington.
However, chipmakers using the technique will suffer ever-worse yields, making that a demonstration of engineering prowess but economically unviable, he said.
Reporting by Toby Sterling;
Editing by Alison Williams and Philippa Fletcher
Activos relacionados
Últimas noticias
Descargo de responsabilidades: Cada una de las entidades de XM Group proporciona un servicio de solo ejecución y acceso a nuestra plataforma de trading online, permitiendo a una persona ver o usar el contenido disponible en o a través del sitio web, sin intención de cambiarlo ni ampliarlo. Dicho acceso y uso están sujetos en todo momento a: (i) Términos y Condiciones; (ii) Advertencias de riesgo; y (iii) Descargo completo de responsabilidades. Por lo tanto, dicho contenido se proporciona exclusivamente como información general. En particular, por favor tenga en cuenta que, los contenidos de nuestra plataforma de trading online no son ni solicitud ni una oferta para entrar a realizar transacciones en los mercados financieros. Operar en cualquier mercado financiero implica un nivel de riesgo significativo para su capital.
Todo el material publicado en nuestra plataforma de trading online tiene únicamente fines educativos/informativos y no contiene –y no debe considerarse que contenga– asesoramiento ni recomendaciones financieras, tributarias o de inversión, ni un registro de nuestros precios de trading, ni una oferta ni solicitud de transacción con instrumentos financieros ni promociones financieras no solicitadas.
Cualquier contenido de terceros, así como el contenido preparado por XM, como por ejemplo opiniones, noticias, investigaciones, análisis, precios, otras informaciones o enlaces a sitios de terceros que figuran en este sitio web se proporcionan “tal cual”, como comentarios generales del mercado y no constituyen un asesoramiento en materia de inversión. En la medida en que cualquier contenido se interprete como investigación de inversión, usted debe tener en cuenta y aceptar que dicho contenido no fue concebido ni elaborado de acuerdo con los requisitos legales diseñados para promover la independencia en materia de investigación de inversiones y, por tanto, se considera como una comunicación comercial en virtud de las leyes y regulaciones pertinentes. Por favor, asegúrese de haber leído y comprendido nuestro Aviso sobre investigación de inversión no independiente y advertencia de riesgo en relación con la información anterior, al que se puede acceder aquí.
