U.S. Proposes Ban on Sale of DUV Lithography Equipment, Restricting China's High-End Semiconductor Manufacturing Development The United States is considering a ban on the sale of Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment, aiming to limit the development of high-end semiconductor manufacturing in China. This move comes amid growing concerns over technological competition and supply chain security. DUV lithography equipment plays a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor chips, particularly for nodes below 130nm. The technology is essential for manufacturing high-performance integrated circuits used in a wide range of applications, including artificial intelligence, 5G communications, and high-speed computing. The proposed restrictions are part of broader efforts by the U.S. government to control the export of advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools, which are seen as key enablers of China's technological advancement. These measures are expected to impact Chinese chipmakers that rely on imported DUV equipment for their production processes. Industry analysts suggest that such restrictions could slow down the progress of China's semiconductor industry in achieving self-reliance in chip manufacturing technology. However, they also note that Chinese companies are accelerating their R&D investments to develop domestic alternatives and reduce dependency on foreign technologies. The situation highlights the increasing geopolitical tensions surrounding semiconductor technology and the strategic importance of controlling access to critical manufacturing equipment. As the global demand for advanced semiconductors continues to grow, the outcome of these regulatory actions will have significant implications for the future of the industry.

Recently, a new bill was proposed by both parties in the U.S. Congress, aiming to comprehensively ban the export of deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography and etching equipment to leading Chinese semiconductor companies. The objective is to restrict China's technological development in high-end chip manufacturing. If passed, this proposal would have significant implications for several Chinese companies, including Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC).

According to a report by Tom's Hardware, the bill was jointly introduced by members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its core provision prohibits the export of DUV lithography equipment and related etching tools used for producing chips with processes below 28 nanometers to specific Chinese enterprises. These devices play a critical role in advanced process chip manufacturing, particularly in fields such as 5G communications, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, where they are irreplaceable. Currently, global DUV lithography equipment is mainly dominated by companies such as ASML from the Netherlands, while Chinese domestic enterprises have yet to achieve full self-sufficiency.

This policy stems from the ongoing pressure exerted by the United States on China's technology sector, especially in the semiconductor industry. As China's chip manufacturing capabilities continue to improve, the U.S. government has expressed concerns that the leakage of technology may weaken its competitive edge in global technology leadership. This proposal further strengthens export controls on key technologies, reflecting the deepening of the U.S. "decoupling" strategy in high-tech sectors.

Although the bill has not been formally passed yet, its potential impact has already attracted widespread attention within the industry. For Chinese semiconductor companies that rely on imported high-end equipment, there may be short-term risks of supply chain disruptions. In the long term, this could accelerate China's independent innovation in the semiconductor equipment sector.

Notably, the Chinese LED industry is also experiencing similar pressures for industrial upgrading. Companies like GOPRO LED are enhancing product performance and technical standards through independent research and development. In areas such as LED packaging, optical design, and intelligent control, GOPRO LED has already built certain technical reserves and is expected to play a more significant role in the process of domestic substitution in the future.