Reuters reported on the 22nd: "The United States is targeting ASML's business operations in China. The U.S. is pushing forward the MATCH Act, which would compel the Netherlands to force ASML to cease sales to China—even halting maintenance and support services for older deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines. The bill sets a 150-day deadline and leverages U.S. sanctions as leverage. This issue carries significant weight: China’s market accounted for 33% of ASML’s total revenue in 2025, making it the company’s largest sales market. The Dutch government has already voiced opposition, stating such forced cooperation is inappropriate. However, ASML heavily relies on American technology and upstream suppliers, leaving little room for strong resistance. Beyond restricting China’s access to chips, the U.S. is now pressuring this strategically vital European semiconductor firm, compelling it to join in technological blockades."
Commentary: The U.S. fears China leveraging mature-node chips to achieve full industrial chain upgrading and challenge its global technological dominance. Thus, it is employing extraterritorial jurisdiction to push legislation, rallying allies to tighten semiconductor technology restrictions layer by layer. It aims to force the Netherlands to rein in ASML—seeking an outright ban not only on selling new DUV lithography tools to China but also on after-sales maintenance and support for existing equipment. The goal is to comprehensively lock down China’s upgrade path in mature chip manufacturing. On one hand, ASML cannot afford to lose China—the biggest market; on the other, it is constrained by reliance on U.S. supply chains and dare not openly defy. While the Netherlands is unwilling to comply with U.S. demands, it lacks sufficient leverage. The U.S. is no longer content with merely restricting exports of advanced chip equipment—it is now coercing Europe’s core semiconductor enterprises into joining the blockade. This, in turn, accelerates domestic efforts to fully develop indigenous lithography supply chains and reduce dependence on external technologies.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874275685777610/
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