EUROPE SEMICONDUCTOR
Europe’s Semiconductor Mission: A Major Step Toward Self-Reliance In today’s digital era, semiconductors (chips) are the backbone of modern technology. From smartphones, electric vehicles (EVs), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advanced medical equipment, every smart device relies on these tiny electronic components. However, the global chip shortages in recent years, coupled with geopolitical tensions, forced Europe to confront a critical reality: its heavy reliance on Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, China) and the US poses a significant strategic risk. 1. Europe’s Current Position: Strengths and Weaknesses Europe currently accounts for roughly 8% to 10% of the global semiconductor manufacturing market. Despite this modest share, the region holds a few unique advantages: ASML (Netherlands): The world’s sole manufacturer of advanced EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) Lithography machines. Without ASML, giants like Taiwan’s TSMC or the US’s NVIDIA cannot produce cutting-edge AI chips. Imec (B...