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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.

China’s SiCarrier subsidiary launches homegrown chip design software amid U.S. tech tensions

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A subsidiary of SiCarrier, a Chinese chip equipment manufacturer with close ties to Huawei, has unveiled two domestically developed chip design software tools, marking another step in China’s drive for semiconductor self-sufficiency, according to Chinese state-backed outlet The Paper.

The SiCarrier unit, called Yunqifang, introduced two electronic design automation (EDA) programs with fully independent intellectual property rights, aiming to reduce China’s reliance on Western technology in chip design. EDA software is critical to developing the blueprints of advanced semiconductors, which are central to modern electronics and artificial intelligence.

The announcement comes as U.S.-China tech tensions escalate. Earlier this year, Washington temporarily restricted exports of EDA tools to China after Beijing suspended exports of rare earths and magnets, which are vital for chipmaking. Analysts have warned that prolonged U.S. restrictions could cripple China’s semiconductor design capabilities, where it still trails the United States.

The timing of the launch coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese exports and expand export controls on “any and all critical software” by November 1, days before current tariff relief is due to expire.

Founded in 2021 and owned by the Shenzhen city government, SiCarrier has emerged as a strategic player in China’s semiconductor industry, aligning with Beijing’s push for technological self-reliance. Its progress reflects the broader effort to build a complete, homegrown semiconductor ecosystem capable of withstanding foreign trade pressures.

Huawei outlines chip roadmap, challenges Nvidia with AI supernodes

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Huawei unveiled its long-term semiconductor strategy at the Huawei Connect conference in Shanghai, presenting detailed timelines for its Ascend AI chips, Kunpeng server processors, and next-generation computing systems. The move signals China’s determination to reduce reliance on foreign chipmakers like Nvidia while intensifying the U.S.-China tech rivalry.

Rotating chairman Eric Xu announced that Huawei will release new Ascend chips annually, doubling compute power with each iteration. The company launched its Ascend 910C earlier this year and plans to follow with the Ascend 950 in 2026, the 960 in 2027, and the 970 in 2028. Alongside, Huawei is preparing high-performance “supernodes” designed to interconnect thousands of chips at high speed. The Atlas 950 system, expected in late 2026, will link 8,192 Ascend chips, while the Atlas 960 in 2027 will support 15,488 chips—leaps over the existing Atlas 900.

Huawei also revealed it has developed proprietary high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a field dominated by South Korea’s SK Hynix and Samsung, strengthening its position in advanced computing. Updated versions of its Kunpeng server chip are scheduled for 2026 and 2028.

The timing of the announcement coincides with escalating tensions: Chinese regulators have accused Nvidia of antitrust violations and ordered local firms to halt purchases of its AI chips. Analysts say Huawei’s show of strength reflects growing confidence that U.S. export controls will not derail China’s domestic chipmaking progress.

Despite Huawei’s advances, engineers acknowledge Nvidia’s chips still outperform Chinese alternatives. However, Huawei is betting on leveraging China’s networking and power infrastructure advantages to offset manufacturing gaps and push large-scale systems forward.

Chinese semiconductor stocks rallied after reports of Beijing’s restrictions on Nvidia sales. The geopolitical backdrop looms large, with President Xi Jinping set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump amid renewed trade negotiations.