It is understood that the US and the Netherlands are planning to strengthen restrictions on semiconductor exports to China.

Reuters reported on the twenty ninth (local time) that the Netherlands will restrict exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment made by ASML and other corporations to China, and the US would require government permission prematurely to export equipment to Chinese semiconductor factories. It was reported, citing a source accustomed to the matter, that it might make a request.

The US plans to require licenses to export equipment to certain Chinese factories.

The regulation is predicted to use to 6 Chinese corporations, including factories operated by China’s largest semiconductor maker, SMIC. The source said the corporate is more likely to be denied permission to export the equipment.

Since October of last 12 months, the Biden administration has required corporations exporting high-tech semiconductors or related manufacturing equipment to China to acquire licenses, and to acquire approval from the US authorities before manufacturing certain semiconductors to be sold to China with US-made equipment. In effect, it is meant to dam China’s independent production of advanced semiconductors.

The Netherlands can also be expected to announce measures to limit exports of deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment by ASML, an area semiconductor equipment maker, to China next week on the earliest. That is a further measure following the ban on exports of utmost ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in 2019.

In 2019, when ASML restricted exports of the newest EUV lithography equipment to China, China has been purchasing older versions of DUV lithography equipment. EUV exposure equipment is equipment utilized in semiconductor ultra-fine processes, and ASML is the one company that manufactures it. If this measure is implemented, it’s not possible to bring EUV exposure equipment into China as a consequence of the Dutch government’s export control.

In response to Reuters, the Dutch restrictions could come into effect in September and US rules could possibly be announced in late July, in line with sources.

Reporter Park Chan cpark@aitimes.com