Why are Dutch Lithography Machines So Advanced, But Specifically Not Sold to China?

When discussing lithography machines, most people first think of the Netherlands. Indeed, Dutch lithography machines are among the best globally, with the leading manufacturer ASML also based in the Netherlands. The prominence of Dutch lithography technology is largely due to substantial investments in areas such as technological development, R&D teams, and funding, which are unmatched by many other countries.

However, the Netherlands rarely sells its advanced lithography machines to China. To put it bluntly, Dutch lithography machines are sold to countries like South Korea and the United States, with major clients including Samsung, Intel, and TSMC, yet China is notably excluded. Given that China is a populous nation with a demand for chips that arguably exceeds the combined demand of the United States and South Korea, excluding such a significant market clearly means forgoing substantial profits. So, why does the Netherlands refuse to sell lithography machines to China?

In fact, the primary reason the Netherlands does not sell lithography machines to China is largely due to interference from the United States. The Netherlands is actually eager to enter the Chinese market and has previously sold some lithography machines to Chinese companies, but these were mostly outdated models. The latest and most advanced lithography machines are prohibited from being sold to China under U.S. restrictions. Moreover, it is not just the Netherlands; other countries attempting to sell advanced lithography machines to China also face intervention and pressure from the United States. For example, when the Czech Republic once planned to sell passive radar equipment to China, the United States immediately exerted pressure, ultimately forcing the deal to be canceled.

In response to such incidents, netizens have expressed strong dissatisfaction and proposed various creative strategies:

Netizen 1: "Fight fire with fire. Analyze what the Netherlands needs and apply pressure in those areas, making them experience the frustration of unmet demands."

Netizen 2: "Since the United States is the one causing trouble, bypass the U.S. and conduct transactions secretly."

Netizen 3: "If we can't buy them, borrow them from other companies, such as Samsung."

What are your thoughts, netizens? Feel free to leave a comment!