Beijing has granted export exemptions for Nexperia chips used in civilian applications, the Chinese Commerce Ministry confirmed on Sunday, signaling an effort to stabilize global chip supply chains strained by recent trade restrictions.
The move follows mounting pressure from automakers and electronics suppliers facing shortages after the Netherlands seized control of Nexperia, a Dutch-based semiconductor company owned by China’s Wingtech.
China halted exports of the firm’s packaged chips in early October but said last week it would accept applications for exemptions following a meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. The latest announcement confirms those exemptions are now being issued.
Though China did not define “civilian use,” reports from Germany and Japan suggest that chip deliveries have resumed, offering much-needed relief to the automotive sector.
Still, the diplomatic rift between Beijing and The Hague remains unresolved. The Dutch government maintains that Wingtech’s control of Nexperia poses an economic security risk to Europe, while China accuses the Netherlands of undermining international supply chains.
China’s Commerce Ministry urged the EU to pressure the Netherlands to reverse its decision, stating: “We hope the EU will intensify efforts to urge the Dutch side to rectify its erroneous actions.”
