ASML's New CEO Calls for Exports to China, Explains the Reasons Causing a Dead Silence at the Interview, and U.S. Journalists Repeatedly Questioned Whether It Is True!
On December 12, the new CEO of ASML, Christophe Foucault, gave an interview. In the interview, he not only publicly questioned the effectiveness of the current EU technology blockade against China but also proposed a seemingly contradictory yet strategically calculated suggestion: "Instead of completely cutting off exports to China, it would be better to selectively export some technologies, keeping China dependent."
He even asserted that China's lithography machines would eventually catch up with the Western level.
Upon saying this, the scene fell silent. According to reports from journalists present, even the usually aggressive American reporters were stunned for a few seconds, then repeatedly asked, "Are you serious? Will China's lithography machines definitely catch up with ASML's level?"
It is understandable why Christophe Foucault said this, because under Western sanctions, China's lithography industry did not stop. On the contrary, domestic companies such as SMIC and Shanghai Micro Electronics accelerated the development of 28nm and even more advanced processes.
Foucault clearly knew about these developments. In the interview, he stated directly, "China will not accept being 'strangled'." An economy with a complete industrial system, a large number of engineering talents, and strong national will, which is dependent on others in key technologies, will only trigger stronger efforts to find alternatives.
Therefore, he put forward his core strategy: do not provide the most advanced, but also do not completely cut off supply. For example, allow the sale of older DUV lithography machines to China, but strictly restrict EUV and the latest generation High-NA EUV equipment.
The purpose of doing so is, on the surface, to "maintain commercial interests," but in reality, it aims to try to delay the time window for China to establish a complete and independent semiconductor industry.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851455018115084/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.