In case China invades Taiwan: ASML has "kill switch" for lithography systems
Should China attempt an invasion of Taiwan, the most modern semiconductor manufacturing equipment can be switched off remotely. This is what ASML claims.
(Image: asharkyu/Shutterstock.com)
ASML is able to shut down the most modern lithography systems for the production of semiconductors remotely. The Dutch company has assured the US government of this, reports Bloomberg, citing two anonymous sources. The sources wanted to know what options ASML has in the event that the People's Republic of China attacks Taiwan - where by far the most modern semiconductors are manufactured. Because the highly complex machines have to be continuously maintained and updated, the manufacturer has the option of being able to initiate a shutdown remotely, the USA was assured. They therefore have a kind of "kill switch". TSMC, where most of these devices are used, is also able to do this.
Taiwan wants to be invulnerable
The devices are lithography systems for the production of semiconductors that use extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure. ASML is the only company in the world that can manufacture these machines and has therefore become one of the most valuable corporations in Europe. Due to export restrictions, ASML is not allowed to sell them to China; according to Bloomberg, the largest customer is TSMC. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, on the other hand, is by far the market leader in contract manufacturing for semiconductor components. Taiwan's dominance in chip manufacturing is the result of decades of state support, which is intended to deter China from a possible attack.
China regards Taiwan (or the Republic of China) as part of its own territory and is officially striving for "reunification". The so-called Taiwan conflict has recently become more heated again due to the tensions between China and the USA, which acts as Taiwan's protecting power. According to Bloomberg, the risks associated with an invasion were played out in the Netherlands, with the possibility of deactivating the lithography systems probably playing a role. The fact that this is now being made public should also be seen as a warning to the People's Republic. The People's Republic is also fundamentally dependent on Taiwan's chip industry. TSMC warned a while ago that its own facilities would become inoperable in the event of an invasion.
(mho)