What do the smartphone in your pocket have in common with the “Javelin” anti-tank missile, which has been a reliable helper for Ukrainian soldiers in the fight for freedom? Both of these devices would not be able to function without microchips. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s threat to Taiwan are just another confirmation that modern microchips are a product of strategic importance. The finest and most modern ones are produced by only a few companies in the world – TSMC, “Intel” and “Samsung”, “Micron” and “SK Hynix”. But they all depend on one other company, which is much less talked about.
ASML of the Netherlands is the only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in the world. Only with these devices is it possible to make the latest generation of microchips that power the modern world. If TSMC and the other tech giants mentioned above are the best microchip “jewelers” in the world, then ASML is the only grandmaster who supplies them with the tools they need. Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and ARM depend on TSMC’s production, and TSMC depends on ASML’s equipment. Taking into account the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry, these instruments should be protected from both Russia and China.
