On the international economic stage, a new game is gradually unfolding. After months of intense negotiations, the United States, the Netherlands and Japan issued statements announcing regulatory measures for semiconductor equipment. The impact of this initiative is not limited to these countries, but will be involved in the global semiconductor industry chain, opening the curtain on a new round of technology competition.
The announcement by Japan and the Netherlands of banning the export of advanced equipment such as 14nm lithography machines, exposure machines, and tempering furnaces has further exacerbated uncertainty in the semiconductor industry. In particular, ASML, a leader in the global semiconductor manufacturing field, as a giant in the field of lithography machine manufacturing, its technical position is increasingly prominent. However, this move puts its position in the global market at risk. Today, the semiconductor industry has become a battlefield for international competition, and technology leadership and supply chain stability have become crucial.
The United States has not shown weakness either. The Biden administration plans to use the Defense Production Act priorities to recycle and process gallium, a critical material, domestically in response to China's regulatory measures. This trend not only shows that the United States attaches great importance to the semiconductor industry, but also highlights the strategic position of semiconductor technology and materials. Although historically used to secure wartime materials, the Defense Production Act has evolved into a weapon to protect the country's technology and industrial chain.
However, the victims of this game seem to be not only the competition between governments, but also those enterprises and technologies that play an important role in the industrial chain. China, the world's largest producer of gallium and germanium, has taken measures to restrict exports and impose export controls on these two key materials. Although gallium and germanium do not dominate global reserves, they have become an indispensable part of the semiconductor industry with China's perfect industrial chain, leading refining technology and strong production capacity.
For this move, some people believe that China's "self-defense counterattack" in the semiconductor field has officially kicked off. By restricting exports of these two key materials, China is expected to influence the semiconductor industry of other countries to some extent, thereby protecting its own technological security and industrial interests. As a semiconductor material, gallium is often used in the manufacture of optoelectronic devices, optical fiber communication equipment, solar cells, etc., while germanium has important applications in infrared detectors and photodiodes. Export restrictions on these two materials will support China's struggle for greater technical power.
However, this game can also have a complex set of effects. First and foremost is South Korea, which is an important part of the world's semiconductor industry, and is almost indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing. China's export controls on gallium and germanium will make South Korea's semiconductor industry face great challenges. This has also raised deeper international concerns about supply chain security and technology strategies.
In this game, technology, materials, and industrial chains are all intertwined into a complex situation of international politics and economy. Governments need to strike a balance while protecting national industries to avoid excessive shocks. The future development of the global semiconductor industry will be affected by these policies, and the balance between technological innovation and international cooperation will become the key.
In general, the international game of the semiconductor industry is heating up, and the policy measures of various governments will have a profound impact on the global technology pattern. In this game, technical strength and the stability of the supply chain will be the key. No matter who can ultimately gain the advantage in this game, it needs to realize that international cooperation and technological innovation are important driving forces to promote the sustainable development of the semiconductor industry.