Semicon Briefing

TSMC plans not to use ASML's High-NA EUV machines ($400 million per unit) for its A13 process generation – instead, existing EUV tools will be further optimized. The move delays the commercial breakthrough of High-NA technology to no earlier than 2029 and puts significant revenue pressure on ASML, as TSMC is its most important customer.

China systematically circumvents US export restrictions by rerouting chip manufacturing equipment through third countries in Southeast Asia – in parallel, Beijing is expanding its economic counter-pressure toolkit (50% domestic content requirement, rare earth controls). This undermines the effectiveness of Western export controls and accelerates China's self-sufficiency strategy.

The US has blocked export licenses for chip manufacturing tools to Hua Hong and Huali Microelectronics – just before both companies were set to ramp a 7-nm fab in Shanghai. The move escalates the technology conflict and risks new tensions just before the planned Trump-China summit.

Marvell has canceled purchase orders with Celestial AI (optical interconnect specialist POET Technologies) after an alleged confidentiality breach became known – POET stock crashed 30% in pre-market trading. The case illustrates the high risks in the AI chip ecosystem when it comes to strategic supplier partnerships.

Prediction markets see a Trump visit to China on May 13 with 54% probability – the overall market for a May visit stands at 90%. A summit could send short-term signals of de-escalation for the semiconductor trade conflict, without changing structural export control policy.

Semtech has acquired indium phosphide optoelectronics manufacturer HieFo for $34 million, strengthening its position in high-speed data communications for AI data centers. The acquisition is part of a broader consolidation wave in the photonics segment, which is considered a critical bottleneck for next-generation AI infrastructure.