The US government recently raised a serious concern with ASML, the Dutch maker of the world’s most advanced chipmaking equipment. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ASML’s executives he suspects one of their top extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines may have ended up in China. This could break strict US export controls that have blocked such shipments for years.

ASML strongly denies the claim. The company insists it has never shipped an EUV machine, or any of its parts designed specifically for EUV systems, to China. They circulated a detailed document in Washington to make this point clear. ASML also notes that EUV machines are massive—about the size of a school bus and weighing 180 tons—making secret shipping almost impossible.

The US accusation adds to ongoing tensions over advanced chip technology. The EUV machines are crucial because they enable the production of the smallest, most powerful semiconductor chips. ASML holds a near-monopoly on these machines, and they are a bottleneck in the global chip supply chain. Since 2019, export of these machines to China has been banned under US-led restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor tech.

Despite the ban, China remains a major market for ASML. Its share of ASML’s sales recently dropped from about a third to around a fifth due to tighter controls on chip equipment. Still, ASML’s business in China is important, and risking its export license by breaking these rules would be like corporate suicide. That’s why the company’s denial carries weight.

Pressure on ASML Amid New US Export Laws

The dispute comes as the US government pushes even harder on allies like the Netherlands and Japan. New US legislation, such as the MATCH Act introduced in April 2026, would extend export restrictions to other chipmaking tools and ban servicing of existing machines in China. This would tighten the screws beyond current rules, which already forbid EUV exports but still allow limited sales of older deep ultraviolet (DUV) equipment.

ASML faces diplomatic pressure to comply fully. The US is reportedly urging the Dutch government not to renew export licenses for machines sent to China in the past. At the same time, ASML has recently committed to expanding in the US, including a major chip factory project in Texas supported by Elon Musk. This shows how ASML’s future is closely tied to American interests.

The Challenge of Policing Advanced Technology

The crux of the issue is verifying the US claim. So far, Washington has not shared concrete evidence publicly. The suspicion is that an EUV system, or parts linked to one, may have slipped past controls. But ASML points out that these machines require ongoing maintenance by company staff, making it hard for any machine to operate secretly in China.

If true, this would have big consequences. Violating export restrictions risks fines, loss of business, and damage to ASML’s reputation. It could also undermine the broader Western strategy to limit China’s access to the most advanced semiconductor technology. For now, the situation remains a tense standoff with no proof presented and strong denials from ASML.

The story highlights the complex world of global tech supply chains and export controls. Advanced chipmaking machines are not like ordinary tech products. They are huge, expensive, and closely monitored. Yet, keeping them out of certain markets proves difficult amid fierce geopolitical competition.

For ASML, the stakes are high. Compliance alone may not be enough. The company might soon have to prove a negative—that it never shipped such equipment to China—on a timetable set by the US government. The coming weeks and months could shape the future of chip technology access and the broader tech rivalry between the US and China.