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they and TSMC don't compete with ASML. If you have the time, read "Chip wars" that will definitely convince you that USA needs a local chip maker and a Fab if the wish to retain their superpower position. Prior to reading the book, I'll agree and say to hell with the fabs. Just design and let TSMC make it. After reading the book, USA needs a miracle.

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> they and TSMC don't compete with ASML

Competing with TSMC using ASML’s kit means beating them on input costs, operations and/or distribution. That’s doable but tougher and more ephemeral than having a technological moat. (It’s Herculean given TSMC’s scale.)

If someone wants to take on TSMC, they should be looking at leapfrogging or sidestepping ASML in a differentiating way. Not out of the gate. But in a PA Semi sort of way.

ASML has no competition, you will have an easier time replacing TSMC before doing ASML. Frankly, I think they should do a hybrid approach, have TSMC do some stuff and keep refining their own Fab till they figure it out.

I think you may have overlooked the rest of it's "supply chain" -- perhaps hundreds if not thousands of other inputs necessary to run TSMC and not just doubling down on ASML's cruciality alone.

On the top end ASML have no competition, on the lower end (45nm node and bigger) it has Canon and Nikon.

That's all.

There's SMEE.

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