semiconductor

ASML, the Dutch maker of chipmaking equipment, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026 and is calling on the EU to help create demand for semiconductor manufacturing. The remark highlights how little chip production capacity Europe has despite its ambitions, with virtually all of ASML's sales going to Asia and the United States. Commenters are weighing what this says about Europe's competitiveness in advanced chipmaking.

An ASML executive has said the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant currently sells none of its machines in Europe, despite being headquartered in the Netherlands. The remark highlights how Europe's lack of advanced chip fabrication facilities leaves ASML dependent on customers largely in Asia and the United States, adding to ongoing debate about Europe's push to build domestic semiconductor capacity.

The Trump administration is moving to repurpose unallocated CHIPS Act funds, favoring tariff pressure over direct subsidies to force chipmakers to build in the United States. TSMC retained its $6.6 billion award, but tariff threats have led it to raise its planned US investment from $65 billion to more than $165 billion. Critics note tariffs build manufacturing capacity far more slowly than subsidies and shift reshoring costs onto private capital.

SK hynix is considering producing memory chips in the United States, according to the Korea Herald. The South Korean chipmaker, a leading supplier of HBM and DRAM to companies like Nvidia, has so far concentrated manufacturing in Korea and China. A US move would align with Washington's push to bring advanced semiconductor production onshore through incentives and tariffs, though the company has reportedly not made a final decision.

In US pre-market trading, SpaceX shares reversed early losses and turned positive after dipping below their IPO debut price, moving against a broad market decline. Chip stocks fell collectively, dragging Nasdaq futures down 2.7%. Traders are watching whether the space company's recovery can hold once regular trading begins amid the semiconductor-led selloff.

ASML, the Dutch chipmaking equipment giant, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe and is calling on the European Union to help create demand for its technology. The comments highlight how Europe, despite hosting one of the semiconductor industry's most critical suppliers, has little domestic chip manufacturing capacity to buy its machines, with production concentrated in Asia and the United States.

Chinese AI startup Moonshot is reportedly seeking access to additional Nvidia Blackwell chips, according to a report circulating this week. The news comes just a week after a Trump administration official flagged an export control breach involving Nvidia's advanced chips. The development highlights continuing tensions over US restrictions on selling cutting-edge semiconductors to Chinese companies, a dispute that has become a central flashpoint in the technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

Huawei has announced plans for two advanced AI chips slated for 2027, putting Nvidia stock in focus as investors weigh rising Chinese competition in the AI semiconductor market. Traders are watching how Huawei's roadmap could challenge Nvidia's dominance in AI accelerators and what it means for US export restrictions and Nvidia's China business.

Thieves made off with 18 tons of sand in what reports describe as a hunt for Nvidia AI chips, since high-grade sand is a raw material used in semiconductor manufacturing. The unusual heist highlights how demand for AI hardware has put pressure on supply chains down to basic materials, with commentators noting the lengths to which those seeking chip-related resources will go.

NVIDIA's GTC conference is in the spotlight. The event is the company's flagship gathering focused on AI, chips and computing, where NVIDIA typically unveils new GPU architectures, software tools and partnerships. Attendees and industry watchers are following announcements closely, as the conference often signals the direction of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence markets for the months ahead.