The European Commission announced on Saturday that Chinese authorities had confirmed a partial resumption of Nexperia chip exports, offering a temporary reprieve to the automotive sector that has faced mounting disruption.
The crisis originated in September, when the Dutch government effectively took control of Nexperia, a semiconductor firm headquartered in the Netherlands but owned by China’s Wingtech. Beijing responded swiftly by restricting re-exports of the company’s chips, a move that threatened severe production halts across Europe given the critical role these components play in modern vehicle electronics.
This weekend, however, China indicated it would exempt certain chips from the export ban, reportedly as part of a broader trade arrangement between President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič welcomed the development on social media, noting that the simplification of export procedures would apply to Nexperia chips destined for both EU and global clients.
The exemption is conditional: the chips must be used solely for civilian purposes, with the measure taking immediate effect. Nonetheless, negotiations continue with Beijing to establish a durable, predictable framework to ensure the full restoration of semiconductor flows—a crucial step for European manufacturing stability.
Germany’s Aumovio, a significant automotive supplier, confirmed on Friday that it had received Chinese clearance to resume imports of Nexperia chips. The supply chain, however, remains complex: chips are fabricated in Europe, sent to China for final processing, and then re-exported to European and global clients.
Automakers have underscored the urgency of the matter. Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, warned that prolonged disruptions could force production stoppages, while smaller firms were reportedly considering reductions in working hours. The Dutch government justified its intervention in Nexperia on national security grounds, citing concerns about corporate mismanagement at the executive level.
