China has announced that the export of certain Nexperia chips will be permitted again. The decision follows shortly after a meeting in South Korea between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was also attended by European diplomats.
Last month, the Netherlands seized the Dutch branch of that Chinese company and dismissed the Chinese top executive reportedly because preparations were being made to relocate the Dutch strategic industry to China. Recently, the United States has also been taking measures against companies trying to supply high-tech to China.
The Dutch intervention led to strong countermeasures from Beijing. China restricted the export of Nexperia chips assembled in Chinese factories, which are essential for the global automotive industry. The blockade primarily threatened to halt component supplies to European car manufacturers.
Beijing's announcement of relaxation marks a first step towards de-escalation in the US-China trade war. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Beijing will “thoroughly assess the actual circumstances of enterprises” and grant exemptions for exports that meet the criteria.
European governments responded cautiously positively. In Berlin, a spokesperson spoke of “positive first signs of easing tensions.” The European Commission confirmed that China is applying its relaxed export policy to the EU as well. Dutch officials emphasized they will remain in contact with their international partners to restore balance in the chip supply chain.
In a statement, the Chinese government referred to “wrongful interference by the Dutch government in the internal affairs of enterprises” as the cause of disruption in the global chip supply. At the same time, Beijing called on companies experiencing chip shortages to come forward for exemptions.
Despite diplomatic progress, the situation remains fragile. Automakers such as Volkswagen, Volvo, and Bosch warn that prolonged restrictions could lead to production stoppages. Nexperia supplies nearly half of the electronic components used in the European automotive industry, highlighting the sector’s vulnerability.
The recent relaxation seems mainly aimed at limiting direct damage to the international supply chain. Structural tensions regarding ownership, technology transfer, and oversight persist for now.