China 15 Years Behind in Top Chipmaking Tools, Says ASML Supplier

Frank Rohmund, head of the semiconductor division at Germany's Zeiss Group, stated that China is an estimated 15 years away from developing extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines, which are critical for advanced chip manufacturing. He also cautioned that expanding export controls to include legacy deep ultraviolet (DUV) machines could inadvertently accelerate innovation in China rather than limiting its technological capabilities. This highlights ongoing global competition and the strategic importance of semiconductor technology.