Bipartisan Bill to Tighten Controls on Sensitive Chipmaking Equipment

Discussion (5 Comments)Read Original on HackerNews

dsign•about 1 hour ago

This bill essentially creates a legal basis for the U.S. to forbid its companies from servicing semiconductor tool makers if those tool makers do not fit themselves with a proper yokel in 150 days[^1].

In practical terms, this bill is the equivalent of the major of a village forbidding the local blacksmith from making hammers for the goldsmith living in the next village, if said goldsmith sells jewelry to the vast enclave of dwarfs living under the mountain range.

On the enforceability front though, I believe that ASML uses enough American parts and services to be forced into compliance at least for half a decade, though I wish they would start unentangling from any American dependencies immediately.

[^1]: Page 12, lines 22-24

jandrewrogers•3 minutes ago

ASML licenses EUV technology from the US government, which developed it. This is where the leverage of the US government comes from. To disentangle, ASML would have to develop an independent EUV technology that is practically substitutable. They have an existing installed base they need to continue to maintain.

They may be able to do this but it would likely require many, many years before they could sunset their current EUV license. It could make more sense to just work on whatever will eventually replace EUV.

zdragnar•26 minutes ago

I suspect the intent (hope) is that by then there will be more fabs running in the US and that we won't have cut our legs off at the knees. It's pretty hard to see a significant chunk of chip manufacturing being onshored by then though, if it ever happens.

chvid•29 minutes ago

It is all about ASML and preventing their business with China.

Incredible what the EU puts up with.

etiennebausson•3 minutes ago

Another demonstration of why depending on any American service is not worth the cost.

Use no U.S. part, and you can sell to the whole world. Use U.S. part, and you might ne restricted to the U.S.

No way this can backfire in any way.

Bipartisan Bill to Tighten Controls on Sensitive Chipmaking Equipment

⚡ Community Insights

Discussion (5 Comments)Read Original on HackerNews