Electrical Equipment / Components & Telecoms

It's about international trade! Just now, according to the Dutch government website, the Netherlands has announced new export control measures that will restrict more ASML chip manufacturing equipment from being shipped to China. The new international trade export control regulations will force ASML to apply for an international trade export license when exporting some advanced deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) systems. The Dutch government stated in an email statement that these measures will take effect on September 1st and will be announced in the Dutch official gazette on Friday.

It is reported that under this arrangement, some advanced manufacturing equipment must obtain international trade export licenses in the future. It involves some very specific technologies for the development and production of advanced semiconductors.

Regarding the latest regulations of the Dutch government, ASML issued a statement stating that today, the Dutch government has announced new regulations on international trade export controls for semiconductor equipment. As announced in early March, the new export controls will focus on advanced chip manufacturing technologies, including state-of-the-art deposition and immersion lithography systems. Due to these export control regulations, ASML will need to apply to the Dutch government for an export license for all goods of its state-of-the-art immersive DUV lithography system (TWINSCAN NXT: 2000i and subsequent immersive systems). The Dutch government will decide whether to approve or reject the required export license and provide further details to the company regarding any applicable conditions.

ASML stated that the company will continue to comply with applicable export regulations, including those of the Netherlands, the European Union, and the United States. The new export control regulations in the Netherlands will come into effect on September 1, 2023. ASML can start submitting export license applications before this date. The Dutch government will approve or reject these applications based on specific circumstances.

According to the report, the United States is expected to go further and restrict more Dutch equipment exports to specific Chinese factories, such as older DUV models of ASML. According to insiders, the new regulations will require licenses to export relevant equipment to about six Chinese factories, and even some US components will be prohibited from exporting to these enterprises. The regulations may be announced by the end of July.