This is a big problem
The United States continues to strengthen sanctions imposed on China. And if the ban on sales of GeForce RTX 4090D and H20 accelerators for China itself cannot be called a gigantic problem, then here is increased pressure on ASML — this is already serious.
Reuters reports that the US government, against the background of the latest successes of the Chinese SMIC, will try to convince the Dutch government that it is necessary to ban ASML from servicing the semiconductor production machines already installed in China. This applies to relatively old DUV machines, which SMIC managed to adapt for the production of 7-nanometer chips and is even going to switch to 5-nm standards.
ASML's lithography machines require regular maintenance by qualified technicians, and any limitations will make it difficult or even impossible for SMIC to produce advanced chips using the 7nm process, let alone 5nm.
At the same time, let us remind you that Chinese companies themselves are starting to work towards creating their own machines to replace ASML.