ASML and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. have ways to disable the world’s most advanced chip machines in the event that China invades Taiwan, people familiar with the matter say.
US government officials have privately expressed concerns to both their Dutch and Taiwanese counterparts about what happens if Chinese aggression escalates into an attack on the island responsible for producing the vast majority of the world’s advanced semiconductors, they said two of the people, speaking on condition of anonymity.
ASML reassured officials about its ability to disable the machines remotely when the Dutch government met with the company about the threat, two others said. The Netherlands has conducted simulations of a possible invasion to better assess the risks, she added.
