AMSTERDAM — The Dutch government has stepped in to take control of chipmaker Nexperia, a Chinese-owned semiconductor manufacturer based in Nijmegen, in a move that underscores growing global tensions over technology security and intellectual property.
The rare intervention, announced late Sunday, was justified by The Hague as a measure to prevent the possible transfer of sensitive technology to Wingtech, Nexperia’s Chinese parent company. The company produces chips for cars and consumer electronics, and plays a key role in Europe’s semiconductor supply chain.
The decision was made under the Availability of Goods Act, a Dutch law that had never before been used. Following the announcement, Wingtech’s shares fell by 10% on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Monday.
While the Dutch state will not assume ownership of Nexperia, it will now have the authority to overturn or block company decisions that are deemed harmful to national or economic security. Daily operations at Nexperia’s facilities will continue as normal, officials said.
Wingtech Denounces Move as ‘Geopolitical Bias’
Wingtech called the Dutch decision “driven by geopolitical bias,” saying it was consulting legal experts and seeking government support to defend its interests.
Nexperia, which Wingtech acquired for $3.63 billion in 2018, maintained that it complies fully with all applicable laws and regulations.
A Dutch court also ordered the temporary suspension of Wingtech’s chairman from Nexperia’s board, further limiting the parent company’s control. The government cited risks associated with “crucial technological knowledge” but did not provide details.
“The loss of these capabilities could pose a risk to Dutch and European economic security,” the statement said.
Broader Global Context
The intervention comes amid widening geopolitical frictions over semiconductor technology. In the United States, President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Chinese tech firms, recently threatening 100% tariffs on Chinese exports.
Although Washington and Amsterdam typically align on chip export controls, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs emphasized that the decision regarding Nexperia was made independently and that the timing was “purely coincidental.”
Nexperia is among the world’s largest producers of basic chips such as diodes and transistors, and also develops more advanced “wide-gap” semiconductors used in electric vehicles, chargers, and AI data centers — technologies increasingly viewed as strategic assets.
Wingtech warned that the Dutch measures and related court rulings would temporarily restrict its control over Nexperia, affecting decision-making and operational efficiency.
