Wednesday, October 15, 2025-The Dutch government has announced it is taking control of Nexperia, a semiconductor company previously owned by a Chinese parent firm, citing national security risks. The surprise move marks a major escalation in Europe’s efforts to safeguard its strategic tech sector amid rising concerns about Chinese influence in advanced manufacturing.
Officials in The Hague said the decision was made to “protect critical technology vital to the Netherlands’ and Europe’s economic sovereignty,” following months of investigation into ownership structures and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Nexperia, which employs thousands across the Netherlands and the U.K., was acquired in 2019 by Wingtech Technology, a Chinese-backed electronics group. Since then, European regulators have expressed growing unease over foreign control of key chip assets particularly as semiconductors remain central to defense, communications, and energy systems.
The government’s move effectively places Nexperia under Dutch state oversight, pending a long-term resolution that could include partial nationalization or re-sale to a European buyer.
Reaction from Beijing was swift and critical, with China’s foreign ministry accusing the Netherlands of “politicizing economic relations” and warning of “negative consequences for bilateral cooperation.”
European officials, however, have largely backed the Dutch decision, calling it a necessary step to align with the EU’s economic security strategy. The Nexperia takeover underscores a broader geopolitical shift: as competition over microchips intensifies, Western governments are increasingly prioritizing control over technological assets once left to global markets.
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