China has fired back at Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans over his recent comments about semiconductor firm Nexperia, calling the remarks “reckless” and “absurd” in a Friday statement. The clash highlights growing tensions in global tech supply chains. 🔌⚡
Cold War Tactics?
Beijing claims the Netherlands triggered supply chain chaos by using a rarely invoked Cold War-era law to seize control of 99% of Nexperia’s shares through court rulings in September and October 2025. A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson argued these moves “seriously harmed [the Netherlands’] business environment” while destabilizing chip supplies worldwide. 💻🌪️
Auto Industry Fallout
Nexperia’s Dutch operations have stopped supplying wafers to Chinese plants, with legal threats blocking alternative suppliers. This leaves automakers globally facing prolonged chip shortages – a critical issue as electric vehicle production ramps up. 🚗🔋
Talks in Beijing
With Dutch officials set to visit China for crisis talks, Beijing urges the Netherlands to bring “constructive solutions” rather than “repeating old rhetoric.” As one analyst put it: “This isn’t just about chips – it’s a test of how countries navigate tech sovereignty in 2025.” 🤝💡
