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Netherlands Struggles to Resolve Nexperia Standoff With China as Carmakers Warn of Shortages

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The Netherlands is locked in a tense dispute with China over chipmaker Nexperia BV, as high-level talks between Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans and China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao failed to produce a breakthrough on Tuesday. The impasse is deepening concerns among European carmakers, who rely heavily on Nexperia’s chips for production.

The standoff began after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia last month, citing national security risks tied to its Chinese parent company, Wingtech Technology, which is listed in Shanghai. In retaliation, Beijing blocked exports of Nexperia’s finished chips from China, effectively freezing the company’s supply chain and alarming automakers already facing global component shortages.

Karremans said both sides discussed “further steps toward reaching a solution acceptable to all parties,” but China’s response was sharply critical. The Chinese commerce ministry accused the Netherlands of “overstretching the concept of national security,” warning that the seizure “has seriously affected the stability of global supply chains.”

The fallout is hitting the automotive sector hardest. Germany’s VDA auto industry association warned that production could soon face “considerable restrictions or even stoppages” if the chip flow is not restored quickly. Nexperia’s components, while not high-end, are vital for mass-market electronics and car manufacturing, and both sides of its operations — European production and Chinese packaging — are struggling to find alternatives.

The dispute comes amid escalating global trade frictions, including U.S. import tariffs and Chinese export curbs on rare earth materials, compounding pressures on Europe’s already fragile industrial supply lines.

European automakers warn of production risks amid Dutch-China dispute over chipmaker Nexperia

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European carmakers are warning of potential production disruptions as a trade and technology dispute between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia threatens to choke off the supply of critical automotive chips.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said on Thursday it was “deeply concerned” that Nexperia’s inability to guarantee chip deliveries could halt production at European factories. “Without these chips, automotive suppliers cannot build the parts and components needed to supply vehicle manufacturers,” ACEA said, urging an immediate resolution.

Nexperia, which supplies chips essential for vehicle electronics, told customers last week that deliveries could no longer be guaranteed. The company said it is engaging with Chinese authorities to obtain an exemption from export restrictions, but declined to give further details.

The dispute erupted after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia on September 30, citing concerns over the possible transfer of technology to its Chinese parent company Wingtech, which is subject to U.S. export controls. Washington added Wingtech to its entity list in December, triggering restrictions that now extend to Nexperia under U.S. law.

In response, China’s commerce ministry imposed export controls on Nexperia China and its subcontractors, banning them from exporting certain chip components. The escalating standoff places Europe’s car industry in the crossfire of a widening U.S.-China tech war.

Nexperia’s chips are not high-end semiconductors but are produced in mass volumes crucial for car electronics. Major manufacturers including Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, as well as suppliers like Bosch, said they are assessing risks and exploring contingency plans.

China’s commerce ministry criticized the Dutch government’s intervention, saying it “opposes interference in enterprises through administrative means” and vowed to protect Chinese companies’ rights.

TomTom beats expectations as auto sector sales rebound

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Dutch navigation and digital mapping company TomTom reported quarterly earnings far exceeding expectations, driven by a recovery in automotive demand and tighter cost management. The company posted an operating profit of 8.4 million euros in the third quarter, sharply higher than analysts’ consensus of 2 million euros and a marked improvement from the 4.1 million euro loss recorded a year earlier.

Following the announcement, TomTom’s shares surged over 7% in early Amsterdam trading. CEO and co-founder Harold Goddijn attributed the strong results to a mix of growing automotive revenues and cost discipline, highlighting that process standardization across customer operating systems has increased efficiency and predictability.

In June, TomTom announced plans to cut 300 jobs as part of an AI-driven restructuring strategy aimed at streamlining operations. The firm’s automotive location technology unit, its largest division, was the only one to post revenue growth — a 2% increase — as global carmakers step up investment in navigation and self-driving technologies.

Despite lingering uncertainty in the car market, Goddijn noted a renewed appetite for automation among manufacturers in Japan, China, Europe, and the United States. While its consumer GPS products continue to see slowing demand, TomTom’s app remains profitable, supporting the development of its high-definition maps and connected driving systems.