Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source - South China Morning Post

The visit of Dutch semiconductor giants ASML and NXP to China, led by Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, comes amid intensified U.S. efforts to restrict chip exports to China. The delegation aims to saf... Read original →

The Dutch semiconductor delegation’s China visit is a tactical countermove against U.S. export curbs under the CHIPS Act, not mere diplomacy. ASML and NXP must protect revenue from mature-node tools and automotive chips to offset losses from U.S. restrictions. Technically, this may slow China’s substitution of non-U.S. equipment in 28nm+ fabs but will accelerate SMIC and YMTC’s validation of domestic photoresists and metrology tools. Compliance now imposes a structural cost: multinationals face 30%+ higher operational complexity from dual-track supply chains. TSMC and Samsung could exploit this by deepening localized support in Taiwan, China and mainland China, capturing maintenance markets for restricted ASML systems. Over the next 18 months, geopolitical friction will harden 'tech blocs'—non-U.S. vendors like Tokyo Electron and ASM International may expand China collaboration, exposing fissures within America’s alliance framework.