China Eases Chip Export Restrictions to Europe After Clash with the Netherlands
China has announced it will relax its chip export ban imposed in retaliation against the Netherlands’ takeover of Nexperia — a Chinese-owned semiconductor firm based in Nijmegen.
The dispute erupted in September when Dutch authorities invoked a Cold War-era law to seize control of Nexperia, citing “serious governance concerns” and the need to ensure chip availability during emergencies.
Beijing responded swiftly, blocking the re-export of Nexperia’s completed chips to Europe — a move that sparked anxiety among automakers and technology companies reliant on the Dutch semiconductor supply chain. Industry groups had described the Chinese decision as “deeply alarming.”