China Demands Netherlands Speed Up Resolution of Nexperia Chip Crisis—Auto Industry Bleeding

Beijing turns up the heat on The Hague as semiconductor standoff strangles carmakers.

No more Dutch waffling—China wants Nexperia chip dispute settled yesterday.

Global assembly lines sputter while bureaucrats debate. Meanwhile, short sellers feast on automotive sector volatility.

Talks and temporary exemptions move forward

Beijing has started issuing temporary export permissions to certain automakers on a case-by-case basis, following a recent agreement with the United States.

These permissions are meant to prevent immediate disruptions in supply, but they depend entirely on Beijing’s approval. China said it expects the Netherlands to take measures to protect the interests of Chinese companies and to help stabilize supply chains.

At the European level, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said on Saturday that progress has been made in restoring chip deliveries tied to Nexperia. Maroš said the Chinese Commerce Ministry confirmed that export procedures WOULD now be simplified.

Companies would be exempt from licensing paperwork as long as they say the chips are for civilian use. “This measure takes effect immediately,” Maroš posted publicly.

Despite that, Beijing also said that the Netherlands has not yet carried out meaningful action to address what it views as rights violations against Chinese firms.

It said the Dutch government should stop interfering in company operations through state administration. It also confirmed that it approved the Dutch request to send officials to China for consultations.

Europe’s auto industry seeks stability

The cause of the dispute remains the Dutch decision on September 30 to place Nexperia under state control because of concerns tied to its ownership by Wingtech.

Once this was done, Beijing responded by halting exports from Nexperia factories in China, leading to concerns among European car manufacturers that rely heavily on these chips.

Several companies have since reported they were granted permission to receive shipments again, but the process is slow and uncertain.

Šefčovič said the European Commission will stay in close contact with both China and the Netherlands to establish a framework that ensures steady semiconductor flows going forward. He emphasized stability and predictability as necessary for Europe’s industrial sector.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking Saturday in Belém on the sidelines of the COP30 climate talks, said, “It seems the way is now open for a resumption of deliveries.” Friedrich said he had spoken again with Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof about the issue.

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