It appears that the chip in the Huawei Mate 60 Pro was made using a machine from ASML. This is a fact that is ringing alarm bells in Washington.

Chinese technology company Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) has used material from ASML to produce the Kirin 9000 processor. Insiders confirm this to Bloomberg. The chip is used in the new Huawei smartphone Mate 60 Pro.

Good afternoon, buddy

Just a quick look back at last month: Huawei surprised everyone by introducing a new flagship phone. The Mate 60 Pro is also said to consist entirely of Chinese parts, including SMIC’s Kirin 9000 processor.

There are now doubts as to whether it is actually the 7nm chip. It would be more like a 14nm chip. That alone would make more sense. With the current restrictions that the USA has imposed on China and which are supported by Japan and the Netherlands, among others, such chips are unlikely to be possible.

Like a DUV out of a box

That’s why this news comes as a big surprise again. If the Kirin 9000 is a 7nm chip after all (which this post would confirm), SMIC could build an EUV machine there (Extreme ultraviolet) from ASML. This may be impossible due to the current embargoes.

However, the sources Bloomberg spoke to said that SMIC has a less advanced DUV machine (Deep ultraviolet), with modifications to work with a smaller process. This is a much more expensive event, but with the support of the Chinese government it is certainly not an unrealistic scenario. The restriction on the export of DUV material will not come into effect until next year, so ASML is not to blame.

Trade war

Although no restrictions were broken, this news is still worrying for US authorities. There are now fears that the current embargos will occur too little too late Were.

Of course, it’s no surprise that China is doing everything it can to keep up with the latest technologies. Especially given the current growth of artificial intelligence, a specific technology that the US wants to completely restrict the Chinese from using.

So far, none of those involved have commented on this case. It is the second time in a short time that ASML has involuntarily contacted Huawei in surprising news. Now it has also emerged that the former employee who stole trade secrets from the Dutch not only passed them on to Huawei, but also worked there.