Dutch Retreat: Beijing Wins Control Fight Over Nexperia After Chip Shipments Squeezed

The Dutch government has fully withdrawn its emergency powers over chipmaker Nexperia, returning control to Chinese parent Wingtech and ending the tense standoff that had led Beijing to halt key automotive-chip shipments, Bloomberg reported. If tensions persisted, this would’ve sparked snarled automotive supply chains worldwide. The reversal marks a clear de-escalation and comes just weeks after the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea helped cool broader trade tensions. 

The powers were initially invoked in September under a Cold War-era law, prompting Beijing to retaliate with export restrictions on chips from Nexperia’s Guangdong plant, sparking shipment delays that hit automakers including Honda and Volkswagen.

Some of the first evidence of cooling tensions between the Netherlands and China emerged last Friday when Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans stated that he expects chip supplies to Nexperia’s customers in Europe and elsewhere to be resolved “in the coming days.” 

Earlier on X, Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans said the Netherlands is suspending its emergency order over Nexperia after constructive talks with Chinese officials and coordination with European and international partners. He noted that China has already taken steps to ensure chip supplies to Europe and beyond. 

In light of recent developments, I consider it the right moment to take a constructive step by suspending my order under the Goods Availability Act regarding Nexperia, in close consultation with our European and international partners.

Full statement ⤵️https://t.co/i0zzqsYahA pic.twitter.com/aR2lajS1CY

— Vincent Karremans (@MinisterEZ) November 19, 2025

Nexperia timeline (via BBG):

Our reporting:

• Nexperia-Linked Chip Shortages Ripple Through Global Auto Supply Chain, From Germany To Japan

• Chipmaker Nexperia’s China Arm Tells Staff To Ignore Dutch HQ, Deepening Semiconductor Split

• White House Unveils Details Of U.S.-China Deal, Including Resolution To Nexperia Auto Chip Crisis

• Nexperia Chip Crisis Defused? Dutch Minister “Trusts” China To Resume Chip Exports Next Week

Karremans’ statement suggests that the Dutch miscalculated their trade spat with Beijing. This underscored how little leverage Europe actually has – and how quickly China can squeeze the fragile continent’s already-failing automotive sector.