BUSINESS

Netherlands Suspends Nexperia Asset Freeze After Talks With China

Published: Nov. 20, 2025 4:07 a.m. GMT+8

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Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd.’s 99% stake in Nexperia remains under court trusteeship.

The Dutch government has temporarily suspended a controversial ministerial order restricting operations at Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia Holding B.V., after high-level talks with Beijing aimed at defusing tensions in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Vincent Karremans, the Netherlands’ minister of economic affairs, called the decision a “constructive step” following discussions with European and international partners. The move lifts operational restrictions on Nexperia and its 30 global subsidiaries, allowing them to manage assets, intellectual property, business operations and personnel without government interference. Karemans acknowledged goodwill from China in taking measures to safeguard chip supplies to Europe and the world.

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The Dutch government suspended operational restrictions on Chinese-owned Nexperia after talks with Beijing, but Wingtech’s ownership remains under a Dutch court order.
The dispute began with a Dutch ministerial order in September 2024 due to concerns about asset transfers; Nexperia employs 12,500 people and earns $2.06 billion in annual revenue.
China, the Netherlands, and the U.S. reached partial trade resolutions in late 2024, but Nexperia’s future ownership and governance remain unresolved.

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Who’s Who

Nexperia Holding B.V.: Nexperia Holding B.V. is a Dutch-headquartered chipmaker, formerly NXP Semiconductors NV's standard products division. It supplies chips and components to clients like Bosch, Huawei, Apple, and Samsung. The company employs over 12,500 people with annual revenues of about $2.06 billion. Its Chinese owner, Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., had its control stripped by a Dutch court order, resulting in the suspension of Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng as Nexperia CEO and the transfer of Wingtech's 99% stake to a trust.

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd.: Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd. is the Chinese owner of Nexperia. Despite the Dutch government lifting operational restrictions on Nexperia, Wingtech remains stripped of control by a separate Dutch court order. Its founder, Zhang Xuezheng, is suspended as Nexperia CEO, and Wingtech's 99% stake is held in trust. Wingtech was also added to the U.S. Entity List in December 2024. The company is exploring legal remedies to restore control over Nexperia.

NXP Semiconductors NV: NXP Semiconductors NV is the former parent company of Nexperia. Nexperia, now a Chinese-owned chipmaker headquartered in the Netherlands, was previously NXP Semiconductors NV's standard products division. Nexperia supplies components to clients including Bosch, Huawei, Apple, and Samsung.

Bosch: Bosch is a client of Nexperia, which supplies key components to the company. Nexperia, headquartered in the Netherlands and formerly a division of NXP Semiconductors NV, produces chips and components used in the European automotive industry and consumer electronics.

Huawei: Huawei is listed as one of Nexperia's clients. Nexperia supplies key components to Huawei, along with other major tech companies like Apple and Samsung.

Apple: Apple is a client of Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chipmaker headquartered in the Netherlands. Nexperia supplies key components to various clients, including Apple, Bosch, Huawei, and Samsung. The company generates approximately $2.06 billion in annual revenue.

Samsung: Samsung is one of Nexperia's clients, benefiting from the key components Nexperia supplies. Nexperia, headquartered in the Netherlands and formerly part of NXP Semiconductors NV, produces chips and components used in consumer electronics, among other industries.

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What Happened When

December 2024：: Wingtech was added to the U.S. Entity List.

September 29, 2025：: The U.S. Commerce Department extended export controls to any company at least 50% owned by an Entity List firm.

September 30, 2025：: The Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs issued an order freezing Nexperia’s global assets, operations, personnel, and intellectual property for one year.

October 1, 2025：: Nexperia’s Dutch management sought an emergency court order, resulting in Zhang’s suspension and the transfer of Wingtech’s shares to a trustee.

October 4, 2025：: China’s Ministry of Commerce issued an export control notice prohibiting Nexperia’s China unit and its distributors from exporting certain components made domestically.

October 18, 2025：: Nexperia halted salary payments to Chinese staff and cut system access. Wingtech and Nexperia’s China arm responded by taking control of domestic operations and severing ties with Dutch headquarters.

October 30, 2025：: China’s commerce ministry announced the U.S. had agreed to suspend its 50% ownership rule for one year after trade talks in Kuala Lumpur.

November 19, 2025：: Karemans reiterated that, under a trade agreement between China and the U.S., Beijing will allow Nexperia’s plants in China to resume supplying key chip products globally.

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