The KOSPI triggered a circuit breaker on July 28 after falling nearly 11% intraday, extending a 30% monthly drop, as a sell-off in semiconductor stocks deepened following news of increased Chinese chip tool production; Samsung Electronics fell more than 13%, SK Hynix nearly 15%, and the losses spread to US premarket trading with Micron and Nvidia also falling

Citing The Information, Tom's Hardware and TrendForce reported on July 27-28 that an unnamed Chinese equipment maker has begun mass production of immersion deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography tools, a class of chipmaking machine that the Netherlands restricts from export to China; roughly five units are expected to be delivered to leading Chinese chipmakers SMIC, Hua Hong and CXMT in 2026, with about 20 planned for 2027

The Netherlands-based chipmaking equipment maker ASML reported Q2 2026 net sales of €9.33 billion and net income of €2.92 billion on July 15, beating guidance, and raised its full-year 2026 sales forecast to €43-45 billion from €36-40 billion, the second upward revision this year, citing surging demand for advanced chips tied to AI infrastructure investment

The global race to manufacture advanced chips pits Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and China against one another, with control of AI hardware supply at stake.

China's largest domestic chip foundry, blocked from EUV lithography by the US Entity List since 2020, now producing 7nm chips for Huawei's AI and mobile programs.

Thirty commercial agreements close during Tokayev's Brussels visit; Astana offers 21 of the EU's 34 critical raw materials and the two sides initial a visa facilitation deal

Lutnick alleges EUV-related components and transport gear reached China; ASML insists no system or EUV-specific part was ever delivered, as BIS enforcement looms

Europe's frontier challenger raises again months after ASML led its prior round; Emmi acquisition seeds industrial models