The US says ASML’s top chip tool may be in China. ASML says it isn’t

The United States Department of Commerce stated on April 2, 2024, that ASML's advanced lithography machines, specifically the High-NA machines, might have been shipped to China, potentially violating export controls. ASML, a Dutch company and the sole supplier of these advanced chip-making tools, denied these claims on April 3, 2024, asserting that no export licenses were violated and no High-NA machines were shipped to China. The company emphasized its commitment to complying with all export regulations, including those imposed by the Dutch government and the US. ASML's primary concern is maintaining its export licenses, which are crucial for its business operations, particularly its sales to China, which accounted for 15% of its total sales in 2023. The company's commercial logic suggests it would not risk its export privileges by supplying restricted technology to Chinese customers. ASML's machines are essential for manufacturing advanced semiconductors, and the US has been increasingly restricting China's access to such technology to slow its military modernization and technological advancement.