This photograph shows a general view of Nexperia headquarters in Nijmegen on November 6, 2025.
John Thys | AFP | Getty Images
Dutch semiconductor maker Nexperia has placed a public appeal to its Chinese operations to restore supply‑chain flows, warning that customers across multiple sectors are experiencing “imminent production outages.”
The company’s Dutch entity disclosed on Thursday that the appeal follows “repeated attempts to establish direct communication through conventional channels” that yielded “no meaningful response.”
The open letter adds a fresh twist to a dispute that has already threatened global automotive supply chains and intensified a diplomatic spat between Amsterdam and Beijing over technology transfer.
“We welcome Chinese authorities’ commitment to facilitate the resumption of exports from Nexperia’s Chinese facility and its subcontractors, enabling the continued flow of our products to global markets,” the Dutch unit wrote. “Nevertheless, customers across industries are still reporting imminent production stoppages. This situation cannot persist.” The group urged the leadership of Nexperia’s entities in China to act without delay to re‑establish the established supply flows.
Wingtech, the Chinese owner of Nexperia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In this illustration, the Nexperia logo appears on a display screen.
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images
Nexperia produces billions of “foundation” chips—transistors, diodes and power‑management components. The devices are fabricated in Europe, assembled and tested in China, and then re‑exported to customers worldwide.
Although the chips are relatively low‑tech and inexpensive, they are indispensable in virtually every electrically powered device. In automobiles, they link the battery to motors, power lighting and sensor systems, control braking and airbag modules, drive infotainment, and operate electric windows.
How did we get here?
The flashpoint began in September when the Dutch government invoked a Cold‑War‑era statute to assume control of Nexperia’s Dutch subsidiary, citing U.S. security concerns.
Beijing responded by restricting the export of Nexperia’s products from China, prompting alarm among global automakers already grappling with component shortages.
Last week, the Dutch government announced it had suspended the intervention after diplomatic talks, raising hopes that normal supply chains could be restored.
Rico Luman, senior sector economist for transport and logistics at ING, cautioned that the timeline remains uncertain.
“The measures to seize the Dutch subsidiary have been lifted, but discussions are ongoing about restoring the corporate structure and the relationship with parent company Wingtech,” Luman said by email. “The issue is not only about finished‑chip supplies; it also involves wafer shipments from Europe to the Chinese entity.”
Japanese automaker Nissan and German supplier Bosch have already flagged potential shortages, while the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) warned that supply risks remain elevated, especially in the first quarter of 2026.
Nissan signage at a dealership in Richmond, California, on June 21, 2024.
Bloomberg | Getty Images
A VDA spokesperson noted that German manufacturers have managed to keep production stable through intensive effort, but “the disruptions in the supply chain for Nexperia parts caused by political intervention have not been fundamentally resolved. Component availability remains uncertain.”
ING’s Luman likened the situation to China’s rare‑earth export controls.
“European manufacturers are once again dependent on Chinese supplies. As with rare earths, it is not transparent which buyers qualify for which chip allocations,” he explained.
The episode underscores a broader strategic risk: the growing reliance of Western automakers on low‑cost, China‑assembled semiconductors that are sourced from European fabs. As the industry accelerates toward electric‑vehicle production, any interruption in these foundational components can amplify supply constraints, pressure margins, and force a rapid shift toward more resilient, possibly on‑shoring, supply‑chain strategies.
Analysts suggest that the dispute could accelerate investment in domestic silicon‑on‑insulator (SOI) and advanced‑node fabs in Europe and the United States, as OEMs seek to diversify away from geopolitically sensitive pathways.
— Annika Kim Constantino contributed to this report.
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