Europe's biggest chip company sells nothing at home, ASML exec says

ASML, a Dutch company whose equipment is used in virtually every advanced chip factory worldwide, is currently not selling any of its machines in Europe. Frank Heemskerk, ASML's global public affairs executive, stated that the company has no sales of chipmaking machines in Europe at present because no European countries are constructing chip plants to accommodate them.

Heemskerk emphasized that Europe is not investing in semiconductor factories, and thus, no chip plants are being built there. He also mentioned that the United States, China, and India are attempting to persuade ASML to expand its operations in their respective countries. This situation arises as the European Union is currently revising its semiconductor law, highlighting a persistent issue: zero chip factories in Europe.

The European Union's Chips Act, enacted in 2023 with the primary objective of doubling Europe's share of the global chip market by 2030, appears to be falling short of its goals. The European Court of Auditors recently concluded that achieving this target is unlikely, and the law has had minimal impact on the construction of new semiconductor factories in Europe.

For ASML, the issue is both commercial and political. As the sole manufacturer of advanced lithography machines necessary for producing the latest generation of chips, ASML plays a crucial role in the supply chain for today's AI chips, serving customers like TSMC and Samsung Electronics. While Europe remains out of the race, other regions, such as China, India, and the United States, are heavily investing in their domestic semiconductor industries.

China is projected to account for over 25% of ASML's total sales in 2025, according to Shen Bo, president of ASML China, who shared this information last November. India is also pursuing its own chip plant projects in Gujarat and Assam, while the United States has long advocated for restricting some of ASML's most advanced machine sales to China, illustrating how geopolitics influences ASML's order book, alongside genuine demand.

ASML's senior executives have been warning European authorities for months about the need for realism regarding technological sovereignty, recognizing that the chip ecosystem is globally distributed and that certain imports will always be required. In January, ASML's CEO, Christophe Fouquet, cautioned Europe, stating that the ecosystem is dispersed worldwide, and some imports are inevitable.

The same month, ASML reported better-than-expected financial results and announced job cuts totaling 1,700. In October 2025, ASML's chief financial officer, Roger Dassen, attributed AI talent loss to EU regulations, noting that skilled engineers often opt to relocate to Silicon Valley, where opportunities are more abundant. Heemskerk himself has previously stated that it is easier to secure a meeting with the White House than with an EU commissioner.

ASML and the European Union are now exploring ways to stimulate demand for semiconductors and strengthen supply chains to enhance resilience. Heemskerk suggests that Europe will only generate its own semiconductor customers when someone begins constructing a fabrication facility.