Precious ASML machines could be deactivated at TSMC in the event of conflict between Taiwan and China

ASML machines used to produce highly advanced chips at TSMC factories in Taiwan could be rendered unusable in the event of a conflict with China. What reassures the United States?

The rivalry between the United States and China in recent years has taken place first and foremost in the technological field, an area where Washington is trying to slow down its competitor, despite Chinese advances. The Americans are doing everything to ensure that Beijing maintains a certain delay in the semiconductor sector. A delay that the Middle Kingdom could make up for if one day it gets its hands on the TSMC factories in Taiwan. Reason why a deactivation mechanism would exist on ASML machines.

A possibility to deactivate machines remotely

When the United States rallied all of its allies to carry out a sort of technological blockade on China, the Netherlands emerged as a key nation in this device. Because the country of tulips is also home to the ASML company, the world leader in lithography machines using extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV), which are essential for the production of the most advanced semiconductors.

However, China is hampered by its lack of access to these machines. And even if it were to establish a foothold in Taiwan, Chinese companies would not be able to benefit from this equipment. Indeed, according to several media sources BloombergASML and TSMC would claim to be capable of remotely deactivating these machines.

ASML responds to US concerns

This information reached the press after the United States expressed to ASML its concern about the potential transfer of these systems to China. The company then explained that these very expensive machines, the most recent of which cost $350 million, could be deactivated in the event of a problem.

Washington had reason to worry about the issue, since it is estimated that TSMC, the world leader in semiconductor foundries, produces around 90% of the world’s advanced chips. And as such, the group’s Taiwanese factories simply own more than half of the EUV machines existing on the planet.

Source : Bloomberg, Wccftech