Netherlands failing to take responsibility for semiconductor supply crisis, says China

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Wednesday complained that the Netherlands is showing “no sense of responsibility” on a semiconductor supply chain crisis Beijing blames on Dutch "interference" with chipmaker Nexperia.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson said Beijing reiterated that the Dutch side's “improper administrative interference” in the internal affairs of Nexperia triggered a global semiconductor supply chain crisis, according to Xinhua News.

"It is perplexing that in the face of widespread anxiety and concern within the global industry, the Dutch side remains unmoved and persists in its own course, showing no sense of responsibility whatsoever for the security of the global semiconductor industry and supply chains, nor has it taken any substantive action," the spokesperson said.

Beijing reiterated its calls for the Dutch side to “refrain from acting willfully, immediately correct its wrongdoing, and remove any obstacles that hinder the stability and security of the global semiconductor industry and supply chains,” the spokesperson added.

Semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia is an overseas subsidiary owned by the Chinese company Wingtech Technology Co.

The Dutch government took control of Nexperia in late September, citing worries about the possible transfer of technology to Wingtech. To do this, it invoked never-before-used powers under a Dutch law known as the Availability of Goods Act.

The move, which blocked management decisions deemed a threat to Dutch/European security, followed US warnings about Nexperia's ties to China.

Wingtech called the Dutch government’s intervention in Nexperia “excessive interference driven by geopolitical bias.”