The Dutch government’s taking the unusual step of seizing control of chipmaker Nexperia on Sept. 30, freezing assets and replacing its Chinese executives, signals a growing willingness in the West to treat even basic semiconductor technologies as strategic assets, analysts say.
The intervention, which cited a Cold War-era law, has become a defining moment in Europe’s effort to protect its technological sovereignty from China.
Nexperia was acquired in 2019 by Chinese company Wingtech, which is partially controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and has been blacklisted by the United States.
A Chipmaker Caught in the Crossfire
Nexperia is one of the world’s largest producers of simple computer chips, including diodes and transistors. While not cutting-edge, these chips are essential for Europe’s automotive and industrial supply chains. Up to 80 percent of Nexperia’s products are packaged in China before redistribution….
Dutch Seizure of Nexperia Signals Europe’s Shift on Chinese Tech Investments
