The Smaller the Lines, the Bigger the Laser - The Machines That Build the Machines - Powering Up the Fourth Industrial Revolution - ASML's Relation With China - Lithography (EUV) Powered by Zeiss: Most Expensive Machines in the World - Covid-Induced World Trade Crumbles Except Technology

Editor's note: When President Trump occupied the White House (he was allegedly being betrayed by Tel Aviv), there was political pressure exerted on the Netherlands-based ASML to prevent China from accessing ASML's advanced technology. ASML manufactures the machines that manufacture microprocessors. Whatever country ends up with the machines that make the machines and related technology, will own the future of technology related to microprocessors. They will power up A.I. Israel wants to own that future and so does China - badly. Both are greedy, xenophobic cultures – notoriously so, in fact. They're resented for such. What the CEO of ASML likely knows but doesn't admit, is that Israel and China technology, trade and investment are becoming closer. Now that Trump has been replaced with Banana Republic Biden, will we see political circumstances between Israel and China continue?

Trump administration pressed Dutch hard to cancel China chip-equipment sale: sources

While the world has gone into convulsions over the WEF and Davos-induced "Great Reset" destroying economies in countries all over the world under cover of the global fake Covid pandemic, the tech industry related to microprocessor engineering and manufacturing is going strong. At the core of ASML lithography machines are the extreme ultra-violet (EUV) lasers that etch out the wafers. ASML has a monopoly on the industry with Taiwan's TSMC, Samsung, Apple and Intel all relying on ASML's lithography machines.  At the core of ASML's lithography machines are the lasers engineered and manufactured by the German firm Zeiss (Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH). Without Zeiss' EUV lasers nothing works. The "Fourth Industrial Revolution" will turn into the "Great Reopening."

ZEISS and ASML strengthen partnership for next generation of EUV Lithography due in early 2020s

China will do anything to get its hands on this technology. In fact, there were reports Chinese hackers got inside Zeiss' systems to pillage secrets on Zeiss' EUV technology. We have not followed up on any investigation to verify if this story was true or not. We are aware that Chinese employees of ASML were alleged to have stolen ASML industrial secrets. Whatever Zeiss is manufacturing in China it is not likely associated with Zeiss' highly complex expensive EUV lithography equipment. 

Chinese employees stole corporate secrets from Dutch semiconductor maker, newspaper reports

Source: CX Tech

Chinese Mainland Speeds Up Chip Equipment Buying from ASML

By Ding Yi | January 21, 2021

The Chinese mainland was the third-largest revenue source for Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML in 2020, even as the U.S. tightened the screws on non-American companies providing China with the hardware, software and other services it needs to build up its chip sector.

Last year, ASML's sales of lithography machine systems totaled 10.3 billion euros ($12.5 billion), about 18% of which went to customers on the Chinese mainland, representing a year-on-year increase of 6 percentage points, according to the company.

Taiwan, home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), one of the world's largest chipmakers, was the biggest buyer of ASML's lithography machine systems last year, accounting for 36% of its sales, followed by South Korea with 31%.

ASML is one of only a few companies capable of making equipment to produce the most advanced microchips. It has increasingly been pulled into the ongoing U.S. campaign to curb China’s ambitions to become a global tech leader.

In the face of Washington's growing list of tech export restrictions on Chinese companies, ASML CEO Peter Wennink in October expressed optimism about its ability to sell its deep-ultraviolet (DUV) chip-making equipment directly from its Dutch headquarters to customers in China. However, he made no comment on whether the U.S. policy would affect direct sales of ASML's latest generation of equipment using a more advanced technology called extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology.

In December, leading Chinese chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) was added to the U.S. "entity list", losing access to American-made EUV-powered equipment needed to produce chips using advanced 7 nanometer technology. 

________

News links for the observant:

The World Is Dangerously Dependent on Taiwan for Semiconductors

ASML (ASML) is an Incredible Growth Stock: 3 Reasons Why

Here's Why We Think ASML Holding (AMS:ASML) Is Well Worth Watching

Trump administration pressed Dutch hard to cancel China chip-equipment sale: sources

Dutch Tech Giant ASML Says Being Non-American Has Its Advantages When Selling to China

ASML and TSMC Reveal More Details About 3nm Process Technology

Taiwan's TSMC is the "tool shed" for the coming "Fourth Industrial Revolution" and China covets the prospect of owning TSMC sitting 100 miles off its coast.

China toughens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

HONORED TO BE AN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE PROVIDER.