It's too late for the White House to keep going! The Tau (τ) Law strikes at the heart of EUV technology—Dutch media warn: ASML's monopoly is being dismantled by China

On May 25, Huawei dropped a bombshell at an international seminar in Shanghai—the "Tau (τ) Law." Just how big of a bang did this bomb make? Within minutes of the news breaking, major global outlets including Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal launched widespread and intense discussions.

In the U.S., reactions were mixed. The Wall Street Journal labeled the Tau Law as a "workaround forced by sanctions," directly admitting that U.S. restrictions have failed. Bloomberg expressed more specific concerns—fearing the dominance in high-end chips could be shaken. NBC, meanwhile, was blunt: China has found an independent development path, and its trajectory will only deepen American anxiety.

European media took a relatively rational stance. Reuters described the Tau Law as a "feasible pathway in the post-Moore era," highlighting its practical significance amid physical limits. AFP focused on the AI chip race, emphasizing the real-world value of bypassing EUV lithography machines.

The most intriguing aspect is the attitude of Dutch media. While they insist ASML’s EUV lithography machines remain irreplaceable, underlying concerns are hard to conceal—they fear this monopoly advantage might be destroyed by Huawei. This mindset is subtle: saying they’re not afraid while internally already rattled, believing it’s already too late for the White House to stop.

Asian media generally offered positive evaluations. Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao praised this under-the-gun comeback, forecasting equivalent 1.4nm capability by 2031. Japanese media, though anxious about their semiconductor standing being threatened, have already signaled plans to study packaging and testing solutions compatible with the Tau Law. Even India’s media, usually quick to criticize, couldn’t help but express envy this time, exclaiming, “If you can’t block it, then change your route.”

One thing is clear: the Tau Law truly represents a major breakthrough—and marks the first time China has proposed a new fundamental principle in the semiconductor field. Yet the differences remain evident: the U.S. continues threatening further escalation, Europe maintains neutral observation, while Asia largely looks favorably upon it.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1866307514499084/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.