China on Wednesday called on the Netherlands to “immediately correct its mistakes” and remove what it described as obstacles to the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain. The comments came after the Dutch government took control of Nexperia, a Netherlands-based chipmaker owned by China’s Wingtech.
The Netherlands intervened in September, saying the move was necessary to prevent the transfer of sensitive technology and production capabilities to China. Beijing later retaliated by blocking exports of Nexperia’s chips, most of which are packaged in China.
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders include the Chinese and Dutch governments, which are locked in a growing dispute over technology security and supply chains. Wingtech and its Dutch subsidiary Nexperia are directly affected, facing operational uncertainty and export restrictions.
Other stakeholders include global semiconductor manufacturers and customers that rely on stable chip supply chains, as well as European policymakers concerned about technology leakage and national security.
Positions and Reactions
China’s commerce ministry accused the Netherlands of irresponsible behaviour, saying Dutch intervention had triggered disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain and that The Hague should bear full responsibility for the fallout.
Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans has repeatedly defended the intervention, saying it was necessary despite being an uncomfortable decision. Beijing described the Dutch stance as “perplexing” and said talks between Wingtech and court-appointed custodians had yet to resolve the issue.
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights growing tensions between China and Europe over control of strategic technology assets. It also underscores how national security concerns are increasingly shaping government intervention in the semiconductor industry.
With chips critical to industries ranging from automobiles to defence, prolonged disruption could ripple across global supply chains already strained by geopolitical rivalries.
What’s Next
Negotiations between Wingtech and Nexperia’s court-appointed custodians are expected to continue, but no resolution timeline has been set. Diplomatic pressure from Beijing is likely to intensify, while the Netherlands appears set to maintain its hard line on semiconductor security.
With information from Reuters.