Ankara: China on Tuesday urged the Netherlands to act 'responsibly' in resolving the ongoing issue surrounding the chipmaker Nexperia, calling on Amsterdam to cease interference in the company's internal affairs. A spokesperson for the Chinese Commerce Ministry highlighted concerns over the Dutch government's recent actions related to Nexperia.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson criticized the administrative order issued by the Dutch government on September 30, describing it as 'improper interference' in Nexperia's internal matters. Following this, a Dutch court ruling reportedly stripped Chinese companies of their 'equity,' which, according to the spokesperson, 'seriously infringed' on the rights and interests of these companies.
The spokesperson further alleged that the Dutch government ignored demands from the Chinese side and failed to demonstrate a 'constructive attitude,' thereby exacerbating the global supply chain crisis. On October 26, Nexperia Netherlands announced a halt to wafer supplies to Nexperia China, leading to operational challenges and disrupting the global semiconductor supply chain.
In response, China announced on November 1 that it would permit export exemptions for qualified cases to aid Nexperia's China unit in resuming supply, aiming to maintain 'stability and security' in the global semiconductor supply chain. However, the spokesperson claimed that the Netherlands has continued to act 'unilaterally' without taking tangible steps to resolve the issue.
Beijing has called on the Dutch government to collaborate responsibly with China, considering the economic and trade relations between China and the EU. The spokesperson urged the Netherlands to stop interfering in corporate internal affairs and to find a constructive solution to the Nexperia issue.
The situation escalated after Beijing imposed an export ban on chips produced by Nexperia's factories in China, a move triggered by the Netherlands' decision on September 30 to take temporary control of Nexperia under a 1952 law. This law allows the Dutch government to block or reverse company decisions that could pose a risk to national or European production.
Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans defended the Netherlands' stance by expressing concerns about the potential loss of 'crucial technological knowledge and capabilities' from Europe. Nexperia, headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is known for producing essential chips used in various applications, including cars and household electronics. The company was acquired by China's Wingtech Technology in 2019.