Is America Weaponizing Technology? The Controversy Surrounding ASML's "Remote Control" of TSMC's Lithography Machines

Is America Weaponizing Technology? The Controversy Surrounding ASML's "Remote Control" of TSMC's Lithography MachinesBackdoor, supply cut-off, paralysis - these words, once reserved for cybersecurity, are now intertwined with the core equipment of chip manufacturing: lithography machines. When technology is weaponized, the global chip industry chain hangs precariously, like a tightrope bridge over a chasm

Is America Weaponizing Technology? The Controversy Surrounding ASML's "Remote Control" of TSMC's Lithography Machines

Backdoor, supply cut-off, paralysis - these words, once reserved for cybersecurity, are now intertwined with the core equipment of chip manufacturing: lithography machines. When technology is weaponized, the global chip industry chain hangs precariously, like a tightrope bridge over a chasm. The instigator of this crisis is none other than America, the superpower that wields immense influence in the tech world.

The origin story is a seemingly innocuous Bloomberg report that detonated like a bomb in the global tech sphere. An anonymous source claimed that ASML, the Dutch lithography giant, had promised the Dutch government that they could remotely disable all lithography machines, including the critical Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) machines, purchased by TSMC, in the event of a Taiwan Strait crisis.

This news, like a thunderclap, triggered widespread attention and concern. Lithography machines, particularly the high-end EUV machines essential for advanced chip manufacturing, are the crown jewels of the chip industry. ASML holds an absolute monopoly in the global lithography market, and chip manufacturing giants like TSMC heavily rely on its technology. If ASML were to sever its technical support to TSMC, the consequences would be dire.

Adding to the worry is the suspicion that America is pulling the strings behind ASML's "remote control" capability. America has always considered chips crucial for maintaining its technological dominance. In recent years, as China's chip industry surged, American anxiety over its own chip supply chain security has escalated, leading to aggressive measures to suppress China's chip industry. Limiting EUV lithography machine exports to China is one such example. ASML's "remote control" commitment is undoubtedly another piece of evidence that America seeks to weaponize technology.

This event has placed the global chip industry at a crossroads: choose cooperation and win-win, or sink into the quagmire of confrontation. In the short term, siding with America and cooperating in suppressing a specific country's chip industry might bring ASML some benefits. However, in the long run, it is tantamount to drinking poison.

Firstly, such an action would severely damage ASML's commercial reputation and brand image. As a globalized company, ASML's success relies on the trust and support of clients worldwide. The "remote control" incident will undoubtedly raise questions about ASML among global customers, who will fear becoming the next target of a "supply cut-off" and subsequently shun the company.

Secondly, ASML would lose China, a massive market, due to its actions. China is the world's largest chip market, and ASML has consistently considered it one of its most important customers. Abandoning the Chinese market to serve America's political ambitions would be tantamount to cutting off its own arm, having an incalculable negative impact on its future development.

Most importantly, ASML's "remote control" actions could set a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing global technological collaboration and industrial chain security. If all tech companies follow ASML's lead, prioritizing their business interests over the security and stability of the global industrial chain, then global technological cooperation will crumble, ultimately harming all nations and people.

The ASML remote control incident serves as a wake-up call for China, but also presents an opportunity. It makes us acutely aware that technological self-reliance is a strategic pillar for national development, and mastering core technology is the key to success.

China must resolutely pursue a path of independent innovation, particularly in critical fields like chips. It needs to intensify its core technology R&D efforts, control the reins of technological development, and secure its position for future international competition.

China's chip industry has made remarkable strides in recent years. Huawei's HiSilicon Kirin chip broke the monopoly of foreign giants, showcasing China's chip prowess and garnering global attention. Chinese chip foundry companies like SMIC are steadily advancing their technologies, gradually closing the gap with international giants like TSMC. Given time, China will undoubtedly surpass them.

However, we must acknowledge that China's chip industry still lags behind international advanced levels. Therefore, we must continue to invest in the chip industry, strengthen talent training and recruitment, encourage enterprises to increase R&D investment, and strive to break through core technologies in chip manufacturing, driving high-quality development of the chip industry.

China should also actively integrate into the global technology innovation system, strengthen technological cooperation and exchanges with other countries, and jointly promote global technological progress. We must adhere to the principle of open cooperation, embrace the world with a more open mindset, actively engage with the world, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes through open cooperation.

However, we must also be mindful of the "remote control" signals released by American officials and Bloomberg. It is more likely a psychological warfare, designed to intimidate China with the fear of technological blockade, forcing it to compromise on its core interests.

From a technical perspective, remotely controlling and disabling lithography machines is no easy feat. A lithography machine is an extremely complex system with tens of thousands of components. Even ASML cannot completely control every detail of its operation. TSMC, as a leading global chip foundry, has used a vast number of lithography machines in various models. Even if something were to happen, TSMC wouldn't be entirely unprepared.

Secondly, from an economic perspective, it is unlikely for ASML to completely cut off TSMC. TSMC is an important customer for ASML, generating substantial revenue. If ASML sacrifices the vast markets of mainland China and Taiwan to align with America's political ambitions, it will undoubtedly suffer immeasurable losses, ultimately shooting itself in the foot.

Most importantly, mainland China has made up its mind to resolutely pursue a path of independent innovation. Moreover, China has achieved remarkable progress in the chip industry, making chips no longer the crucial bottleneck they once were. Chinese enterprises have developed their own chip technologies. While China's chip technology may currently not be as advanced, it is rapidly catching up, gradually narrowing the gap with the West.

Therefore, America's attempt to scare China with "remote control" and hinder the development of China's chip industry is ultimately futile.

References:

"Can ASML Remotely Disable TSMC's Lithography Machines?" - The Observer, May 21, 2024, 11:48 PM.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])