冯德莱恩警告：再限制稀土出口，欧盟将动用所有手段？光刻机禁售或成博弈筹码

Core Viewpoint - The EU is prepared to take strong measures against China if it continues to restrict rare earth exports, which have significantly impacted European industries [1][5]. Group 1: Rare Earth Resources - Rare earth resources are critical raw materials for high-tech industries, widely used in electric vehicles, smartphones, wind power equipment, and military technology [5]. - China has historically held a dominant position in the rare earth sector, making it a core part of the global supply chain [5]. - The EU perceives China's export restrictions as a serious threat to its industrial development, particularly in the new energy and high-tech sectors [5][6]. Group 2: EU's Response - The EU is collaborating with allies such as the US, Japan, and Australia to accelerate the establishment of its own rare earth supply chain [6]. - Building a complete rare earth industry chain will require substantial financial investment, technological accumulation, and time [6]. Group 3: Semiconductor Industry - The lithography machine, essential for high-end chip manufacturing, is primarily produced by ASML in the Netherlands [7]. - The US and EU have restricted ASML from exporting advanced lithography machines to China, aiming to hinder China's semiconductor industry development [7]. - The potential ban on lithography machines may become a final leverage point for the US and EU against China [7]. Group 4: China's Technological Progress - China has made significant progress in the independent research and development of lithography machines [8][9]. - Domestic companies like SMIC are achieving breakthroughs in technology, and there has been rapid development in other semiconductor industry segments such as photoresists and chip packaging [9]. Group 5: Global Economic Implications - The competition between China and the West in rare earth and high-tech sectors has profound implications for the global economic landscape [10]. - Despite Western efforts to decouple from China, the latter's critical role in the global supply chain makes this goal challenging [11]. - China's strategic advantages in rare earth resources and high-tech fields position it favorably in the ongoing competition with the US and EU [12][14].