The recent trade agreement between the US and the EU has introduced significant changes, particularly benefiting the semiconductor industry. Dutch chip equipment manufacturer ASML will be exempt from the new US tariffs, paving the way for chipmakers like TSMC and Samsung to access advanced lithography machines without added costs in America.
This exemption comes as part of a broader deal where tariff rates are set to a baseline of 15%, coupled with potential multi-billion investments in the American energy sector by the EU. However, specific categories, including semiconductors, are excluded from these tariffs. This is a welcome development for US companies, enabling them to import essential chip equipment without the additional financial burden.
Alongside zero-for-zero tariffs on strategic products such as aircraft components, certain chemicals, and critical raw materials, semiconductor equipment stands out as a major beneficiary of this exemption.
ASML, a leader in chip equipment, specializes in DUV and EUV lithography tools crucial for producing advanced node chips. The company’s High-NA EUV equipment is particularly vital for major chip manufacturers. With tariff-free access to the American market, ASML can supply cutting-edge technology to US chipmakers like Intel, potentially boosting their production capabilities and reducing costs.
While ASML has not disclosed specific US business activities in its quarterly reports, it forecasts significant sales growth, projecting revenues between €30 billion and €35 billion by 2025. This growth indicates robust activity in the US chip supply chain, highlighting the positive impact of the tariff exemption.
US firms such as Intel, which plan to deploy high-NA EUV equipment in their facilities, stand to gain considerably from this new arrangement, as do industry giants like Samsung and TSMC.
