BUSINESS

Dutch Freeze Leaves Nexperia in Limbo as Wingtech Fights for Control

By Qin Min and Wang Xintong

Published: Jan. 9, 2026 6:03 p.m. GMT+8

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Nexperia's headquarters in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Photo: Bloomberg

More than 100 days after the Dutch government froze Nexperia Holding BV, the chipmaker’s fate remains unresolved.

The freeze, ordered by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs on Sept. 30, came just one day after the U.S. announced that any company majority-owned by an entity on its Entity List would face export restrictions, a move that ensnared Nexperia due to its Chinese parent Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd.’s blacklisting.

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The Dutch government froze Nexperia in September 2023, stripping control from its Chinese owner Wingtech due to national security concerns and U.S. export restrictions.
A court placed Nexperia under trusteeship, splitting Chinese and European operations and disrupting global auto supply chains.
Wingtech is seeking up to $8 billion in damages through legal action, while emphasizing no technology transfer occurred and vowing to regain control.

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Who’s Who

Nexperia Holding BV: After the US imposed export restrictions on companies majority-owned by entities on its Entity List, the Dutch government froze Nexperia Holding BV. Its Chinese parent, Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd., was blacklisted, ensnaring Nexperia. This led to a confrontation involving the Dutch government, Chinese shareholders, and Nexperia's management, resulting in control being stripped from its Chinese owner and placed under court supervision.

Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd.: Wingtech Technology Co. Ltd. (闻泰科技) is a Chinese company and parent of Nexperia Holding BV. Wingtech's control over Nexperia has been stripped following a Dutch government freeze and subsequent court supervision. The company's chairwoman, Ruby Yang Mu, stated Wingtech was surprised by these actions, viewing them as "state expropriation." Wingtech is pursuing legal challenges, including an $8 billion investment dispute, to regain control of Nexperia.

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What Happened When

Sept. 29, 2025：: The U.S. announced export restrictions on companies majority-owned by entities on its Entity List, impacting Nexperia due to its parent company Wingtech's blacklisting.

Sept. 30, 2025：: The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs ordered a freeze on Nexperia Holding BV.

Within hours of Sept. 30, 2025：: Nexperia executives petitioned a local court for emergency measures; the court suspended Nexperia’s chairman and CEO, appointed an independent director with decisive voting power, and placed nearly all shares under trusteeship.