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

402 points · 900 comments · MC995

  1. HPsquared · · 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. cromka · · focus · HN ↗
      This is some ridiculous speculation, we do plenty of such critical manufacturing in EU. Regulations is not why we don't make highly-integrated chips here.
      1. scotty79 · · focus · HN ↗
        Why then?
        1. mdp2021 · · focus · HN ↗
          A probably non negligible weight is that decadence is bearish.

          Those alive invest in long term planning, those with a dead drive get conservative in their action.

          1. mdp2021 · · focus · HN ↗
            Again, the sniper seems to prove the point. Decadence and non effort are strictly related.
            1. RGamma · · focus · HN ↗
              [delayed]
              1. mdp2021 · · focus · HN ↗
                No, humanity needs to actively (actively) rediscover human Values, to correct the proportion in the run towards technological growth vs Human growth - condition that has been noted for centuries and it substantially amounts to giving power to monkeys.

                This does not counter that an idle, decadent mentality will have curbed growth everywhere.

        2. cromka · · focus · HN ↗
          Lately specifically because of Intel having financial issues, they already started building their fabs in Dresden and Wrocław when they cancelled last minute.

          This was strategically planned with EU as part of bringing back production locally, similar to CHIPS Act in the US.

          1. isbvhodnvemrwvn · · focus · HN ↗
            So you are fully dependent on US companies anyway.
            1. cromka · · focus · HN ↗
              That's a different problem than discussed here.
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