Dutch semiconductor equipment giant ASML is pushing back against US government claims that one of its most advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography machines may have been transferred to China in violation of strict export controls. Bloomberg reported on June 19, 2026 that the Trump administration informed ASML of its concerns that China may have obtained one of these critical chipmaking tools, prompting the company to launch an immediate internal investigation.
ASML circulated an internal document among senior leadership titled No indication of any ASML EUV system in China, asserting that every single EUV machine deployed worldwide is fully accounted for and that none are located in mainland China. The company emphasized that its EUV systems cannot be relocated or reinstalled without direct involvement from ASML engineers, making any covert transfer virtually impossible without the company's knowledge.
Each EUV lithography machine represents one of the most complex pieces of technology ever built, containing over 100,000 individual components and carrying a price tag between $150 million and $400 million per unit. ASML holds a complete global monopoly on these machines, as no other company in the world possesses the capability to manufacture extreme ultraviolet lithography systems at this level of sophistication.
The Netherlands imposed a prohibition on EUV exports to China beginning in 2019, and ASML has confirmed that it shipped zero EUV machines to any Chinese client during that entire seven-year period. The Dutch government tightened restrictions further in subsequent years, extending the ban to cover some of ASML's older deep ultraviolet systems as well, reflecting growing international concern about China's semiconductor ambitions.
The allegations reportedly surfaced following a series of bilateral meetings between senior ASML executives and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, during which the American side raised intelligence suggesting a possible breach of export controls. The discussions highlighted the ongoing tensions between Washington and its allies over how aggressively to restrict China's access to cutting-edge chip technology.
ASML called the rumors inaccurate and potentially damaging to its reputation as a trusted partner in the global semiconductor supply chain. The company noted that its comprehensive tracking systems monitor every EUV machine from manufacturing through installation and ongoing maintenance, providing a complete chain of custody that would reveal any unauthorized movement.
The controversy underscores the central role that ASML's technology plays in the escalating US-China technology competition. Without access to EUV lithography, China's domestic chipmakers remain unable to produce the most advanced processors, leaving the country dependent on older manufacturing techniques that trail several generations behind the cutting edge of semiconductor fabrication.
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