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

402 points · 900 comments · MC995

  1. t43562 · · focus · HN ↗
    It seems to be "dump on Europe" day which I'm sure is popular but lets just stop for a second and ask what the sales of ASML machinery to the US would be without the CHIPS act .... a massive subsidy. Aren't subsidies supposed to be a bad European thing??? I'm confused. Are we free market proponents or planned economy proponents?
    1. upupupandaway · · focus · HN ↗
      I don't think this is the main point (subsidies). ASML sold nothing in Europe because Europe is not a factor in semi manufacturing, primarily due to regulations and bureaucracy.
      1. elric · · focus · HN ↗
        > primarily due to regulations and bureaucracy

        Or, more likely, due to energy prices.

        1. logicchains · · focus · HN ↗
          The energy prices in Europe are also up due to regulations and bureaucracy, without which the continent would be full of nuclear plants.
          1. microtonal · · focus · HN ↗
            Energy prices are up in Europe because Europe was too dependent on Russia for gas (and now the US) and the Middle East for oil, not regulation. We are too dependent on fossil fuels because (mostly right wing) politicians tried to block/underinvest in wind/solar/geothermal for too long.
            1. TrickyRick · · focus · HN ↗
              Almost correct, except it's the green/left that forced a shutdown of nuclear and sold the gas as "green". At least in Germany/Scandinavia, might be different in the rest of Europe.
              1. microtonal · · focus · HN ↗
                Different in the rest of Europe. Many countries have kept mostly the same number of nuclear power plants.
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