The Netherlands has suspended its takeover of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia as a gesture of goodwill toward China, Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said. The move follows China’s partial easing of re-export restrictions on certain chips, a step some reports link to high-level talks involving Xi and Trump. The suspension — not a cancellation — was taken after consultations with European partners and amid earlier Dutch concerns about national security and management at Nexperia.
Netherlands Pauses Nexperia Takeover in Diplomatic Move After China Eases Chip Export Rules
The Netherlands has suspended its takeover of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia as a gesture of goodwill toward China, Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said. The move follows China’s partial easing of re-export restrictions on certain chips, a step some reports link to high-level talks involving Xi and Trump. The suspension — not a cancellation — was taken after consultations with European partners and amid earlier Dutch concerns about national security and management at Nexperia.
07:27 PM, 11/19/2025Security
The Dutch government has suspended its planned takeover of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia as a gesture of "good will" toward Beijing, Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said on Wednesday. The suspension pauses an earlier order issued under the Goods Availability Act but does not cancel it; the minister retains the option to reinstate the measure.
The dispute began in September, when the government effectively placed Nexperia under state control. Nexperia is headquartered in the Netherlands but is owned by China-based parent company Wingtech. In response to the Dutch action, Beijing introduced restrictions on re-exports of chips made by the firm, prompting automakers to warn of potential production disruptions because those components are critical to vehicle electronics.
Over the weekend, Chinese authorities said they would exempt certain chips from the re-export restrictions — a move some reports have linked to talks involving President Xi Jinping and former US President Donald Trump. Citing those developments, Minister Karremans decided to suspend his order.
"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," Karremans said. "We are positive about the measures already taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure the supply of chips to Europe and the rest of the world."
National security and regulatory background
The Netherlands originally moved to take control of Nexperia on national security grounds and concerns about poor management that could threaten Europe's chip supply chain. Nexperia was once part of Dutch electronics firm Philips before Wingtech acquired it in 2018.
An Amsterdam corporate court later ordered the suspension of Nexperia's chief executive, Zhang Xuezheng, citing leadership shortcomings and insufficient preparation for anticipated US trade restrictions. The case marked the first time Dutch authorities invoked the Goods Availability Act.
Nexperia and its parent company have faced regulatory scrutiny elsewhere: the UK blocked Nexperia's proposed acquisition of Newport Wafer Fab after a national security assessment, and the United States placed Wingtech on an export-control entity list, citing risks to US national security and foreign policy.
Karremans said the suspension was taken "in close consultation with our European and international partners" and followed constructive meetings with Chinese officials. He described the step as a gesture of goodwill intended to protect chip supplies while keeping options open should the security risk landscape change.