China Criticizes Dutch Seizure of Nexperia, Warns of Global Chip Supply Disruption

Gerik

Summary:

Beijing denounced the Dutch government's move to seize chipmaker Nexperia, calling it a unilateral act that destabilizes the global semiconductor supply chain and infringes on Chinese enterprise rights....

China Condemns Dutch Action Against Nexperia as Supply Chain Tensions Escalate

The Chinese government has sharply criticized the Netherlands for what it describes as a disruptive and politically motivated intervention in the global semiconductor industry. The controversy centers around the Dutch government’s decision to seize control of Nexperia, a semiconductor firm owned by China's Wingtech Technology, an action that Beijing claims has triggered instability in an already fragile supply environment.

According to a statement issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, the Dutch authorities acted "alone" and without due coordination, which Beijing interprets as an overreach into the private operations of a Chinese-owned enterprise. The Chinese side demanded that the Netherlands cease what it called "interference in the internal affairs of enterprises" and instead seek a "constructive resolution" to the dispute.

The ministry’s language implies a causal link between the Dutch seizure and broader market instability. By framing the move as a unilateral disruption, China positions itself as a victim of politically charged interference, likely tied to growing Western restrictions on Chinese technology firms under the banner of national security.

Implications for the Global Semiconductor Chain

The situation surrounding Nexperia reflects heightened geopolitical pressure points in the semiconductor sector, particularly as Western nations attempt to limit China’s access to advanced chipmaking capabilities. China’s response suggests a growing concern that these actions are not isolated but part of a coordinated strategy to undermine its technological ascent.

The causal relationship drawn by Beijing between the Dutch seizure and “turmoil and chaos” in the global semiconductor chain seeks to elevate the incident from a national commercial dispute to an international supply chain threat. This escalation serves dual purposes: it aims to rally international opposition to such asset seizures while reinforcing China’s narrative of being unfairly targeted in the global tech rivalry.

Strategic Context and Diplomatic Signals

The tension over Nexperia arises in the broader context of increasing export controls on chip technologies, including Dutch restrictions on ASML’s high-end lithography equipment and U.S. sanctions targeting China's chip industry. China’s call for the Netherlands to reconsider suggests a willingness to re-engage diplomatically, but it is also a veiled warning of potential countermeasures possibly including limits on rare earth exports or further investigations into Western chip firms operating in China.

The seizure of Nexperia by the Dutch government has become more than a national policy decision; it now represents a flashpoint in the geopolitical contest over technology control. China's strong rebuke underscores the depth of mistrust between major global powers and signals that supply chain security is now tightly interwoven with sovereignty claims and commercial retaliation. Whether the Netherlands will reconsider or face retaliatory trade consequences remains to be seen, but the broader implication is clear: the global chip war is entering a more confrontational phase.

Source: Reuters

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