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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. rowanajmarshall · · focus · HN ↗
        No, Europe is not a factor in cutting-edge chip assembly. That is a tiny fraction of the overall supply chain to manufacture a finished, compute-ready semiconductor. There is sense in not trying to compete with the "sexy" part of chip manufacturing, and instead concentrating on the steps of the supply chain you are already good at.
        1. PowerElectronix · · focus · HN ↗
          I'd say being able to compete instead of trying. I bet a lot of euro companies would love to compete against nvidia, amd, intel or tsmc, globalfoundries, etc. They just can't.
          1. liquidpele · · focus · HN ↗
            USA just can’t compete at banana production, film at 11.
            1. PowerElectronix · · focus · HN ↗
              Yeah, but it's not for lack of talent in tech, investemnt money and support from lawmakers. Just a climate that doesn't help bananas grow, unlike chip design and manufacturing in europe.
            2. cemkum · · focus · HN ↗
              If banana production was such an important cornerstone of world economy, a competent team of engineers would be able to create the perfect indoor plantations to raise bananas.

              The plantation described above is less complex than the ultra-cleanrooms used by semiconductor producers like TSMC.

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