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ASML says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026

402 points · 900 comments · MC995

HPsquared · 1790346004 · focus · HN ↗
Semiconductor fabs involve a lot of hazardous chemicals, process changes and high energy consumption. Exactly the kind of thing European regulations tend to deter or slow down. Which is somewhat fine if there is nowhere else to build it, but if other places are easier, well...
1. Zagitta · 1790346116 · focus · HN ↗
  Everyone loves a good race to the bottom with the environment
  1. alephnerd · 1790346406 · focus · HN ↗
    Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US all share comparable living standards to Western European states yet are able to maintain and expand semiconductor manufacturing.
    The issue is with policymaking - coordination between the EU, national, and local governments is weak so high capex projects become risky.
    Edit: can't reply
    > Your first 3 countries are also incredibly poor comparisons for living standards as they have horrendous work/life balance.
    Their hours worked are comparable to most Western European states as well now [0]. Germany is unique in Europe based on hours worked, and is why German industry is pushing to bring back the 40 hour work week.
    [0] - <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/hours-worked.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/hours-worked.html
    throwaway132448 · 1790347412 · focus · HN ↗
    > comparable living standards
    So vague as to be utterly meaningless.
    And slow moving regulation literally incentivises high capex long-horizon investment.
    karahime · 1790348272 · focus · HN ↗
    I don't think it's that vague. I've lived in both Europe and the US, in several places, and both have a wide range. What I will say is that I don't think Europe is better off for the times that it has thrown up roadblocks.
    Also, slow moving, stable regulation can be better than arbitrary flippancy, but that doesn't mean it directly incentivizes investment, it just means the investment already incentivized by demand can proceed with more confidence that it won't have the rug pulled out from under it, assuming the regulations didn't discourage a tentative proposal in the first place.

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