> 1. If it's a remote switch, wouldn't Chinese hackers also be able to potentially block this kind of kill signal? (Unless it's a dead man's switch I suppose).

Not necessarily. It could be triggered by, say, a shortwave radio embedded in the machine that listens for a code on secret frequencies.

> 2. What would be the strategic implications of China getting access to these machines though? I mean if they didn't, they could just make 5 or 8 or 10 nm chips, right?

I don't know. I'd say it would probably give them something to reverse engineer. But I'd say the bigger strategic implication of an invasion would be getting access to the TMSC engineers. They could fly them all up to SMIC, and some would probably cooperate (because they'd have to move on to the new reality after a defeat).

So it probably could be MORE about reducing the west's access to modern chips rather than gaining an advantage for their stuff?

I have to imagine a lot of the expertise with the EUV stuff comes from ASML which is a Dutch company, thankfully.

I have to give props to the US gov for getting the CHIPS act going and we're already seeing Fabs built in the US as a result.

This might end up being a Y2K thing, where good preparation reduced the impact.