Spotify and Accenture caught in crossfire as Trump attacks EU tech regulations.

Spotify and Accenture caught in crossfire as Trump attacks EU tech regulations.

  • misk@piefed.socialEnglish
    9·
    7 days ago

    According to Ryan, “Dutch company ASML commands a global monopoly on the microchip-etching machines that use light to carve patterns on silicon,” and Nvidia needs those machines if it wants to remain the world’s most valuable company. Should the US GDP remain reliant on AI investment for growth, von der Leyen could use export curbs on that technology like a “lever,” Ryan said, controlling “whether and by how much the US economy expands or contracts.”

    Glossing over details. Nvidia doesn’t buy ASML equipment. TSMC, Intel and Samsung do. How is EU going to make them stop supplying Nvidia and on what grounds?

    • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      21·
      7 days ago

      I mean, if I was a policymaker in the EU:

      • do our absolute goddamn best to SIGNIFICANTLY strengthen ties with India, Japan, SK, and other major friendly-ish players in APAC. Ultimate goal: mutual defense pacts + strategic defense partnerships
      • have Very Serious Strategic Talks with SK; tell them to stop taking orders, or at least gouge the fuck out of, US companies, in exchange for becoming a core partner in the build out of the EU military expansion (see: Poland; ctrl+c, ctrl+v across Europe)
      • nut up and seriously support Ukraine - potentially just completely taking over strategic air defense from, let’s say, 100km from the front lines, freeing up the UAF to focus on offensive efforts
      • have Very Serious Strategic Talks with Taiwan; in concert with points one and three (which seriously increase credibility), do their best to become their defense guarantor, as the carrot; threaten to 100% cut them off from ASML if they dig in their heels, as the stick. Note: ASML are the only guys who make the EUV litho machines that are required for bleeding edge chips.
      • backstop ASML if the bluff is called - it’s a strategic producer
      • get EU countries to start seriously building out advanced chip fabs to compete with TSMC as an emergency industrial program

      That’s a strategy that I think would help age EU and its strategic partners in Asia effectively become a meaningful superpower.