Netherlands Signals Potential Return of Nexperia toโฃ Chinese Ownership Amid Chip Supply Concerns
Teh Hague, Netherlands – โขThe Netherlands government isโ signaling a willingness toโ return semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia toโ Chinese ownership, contingent on demonstrable restoration of supply chain stability and improved corporate โฃgovernance, according to recent statements. The move comes after a controversial intervention last year where theโข Dutch โgovernment blocked a planned โคacquisition โฃby โNexperia’s Chinese parent company, Wingtech, โciting national โขsecurity concerns โrelated to technological sovereignty andโฃ opaque Chinese influence.
The Dutch government justified its initial interventionโฃ with stricter domestic legislation regarding threats to technological sovereignty and the non-clear influence โof third countries. Though, officials have now indicated โa path โforward if supplies from โNexperia’s Chineseโ operationsโค to Europe are reliably re-established.
China has โcountered that the Netherlands misused safeguard clauses to limit the rights of a legitimate owner and that resolution should comeโ through negotiation, not directives. Theโฃ Dutch government maintains that disruptions in supply were triggered by centralized โinterference from Beijing in the export operations of a private company, and theโ temporary takeover โof โNexperia was โขa response to failures in corporate โฃgovernance.
Both sides acknowledge the need for clear, legally enduring rules governing the relationshipโ between Nexperia’s European and Chinese entities to prevent future vulnerability to political interference and internal disputes.
The situation highlights broader concerns about the security of critical supply chains, notably โขin โthe semiconductor industry, asโ evidenced by escalating production issues impacting global automotive manufacturers. Negotiations are planned inโค Beijing to address operations, management, and geopoliticalโค considerations, โคrequiring the Netherlands to balance investment openness โฃwith security interests, and China to demonstrate commitment to trade agreements independent of political decisions. Officials on both sides agree that a resolutionโ avoiding coercive measures is crucial to preventโ losses for both parties.