The Dutch government stepped in and took control of Nexperia, a major chip company, on October 12, 2025, after growing worried about national security and technology secrets. This dramatic move happened when Wingtech, the Chinese company that owns Nexperia, tried to replace the European managers running the business.
The trouble started when Zhang Xuezheng, Wingtech’s CEO, reportedly wanted to move Nexperia’s resources to his own Chinese chip factory called WingSkySemi. Think of it like someone borrowing your bicycle and then trying to give it to their friend without asking. The Dutch courts weren’t having it and suspended Zhang from his position.
Nexperia isn’t just any company. Based in Nijmegen, Netherlands, it makes $2.06 billion each year creating basic chips that go into cars and household items like washing machines and televisions. While these chips aren’t the most advanced technology, they’re fundamental building blocks that keep our modern world running smoothly. The integration between Nexperia and its partners requires robust security measures to protect sensitive manufacturing data during transit and storage.
Things got messy when Nexperia told its Chinese workers to ignore Dutch management and follow Chinese orders instead. An internal letter encouraged Chinese staff to think of the company as Chinese, not Dutch. This created a tug-of-war between two countries over who really controlled the business.
The Amsterdam Court stepped in and appointed G.R.C. Dierick as a special director with the power to make final decisions. They also moved Nexperia’s shares to a trustee, basically putting the company in a legal timeout until things get sorted out.
This takeover reflects growing tensions worldwide about who controls important technology. Countries are becoming more protective of their chip companies because semiconductors power everything from smartphones to military equipment. The Netherlands joined other Western nations in limiting Chinese access to critical technology.
The situation highlights how chip manufacturing has become a global chess game. Even basic chips matter when supply chains get disrupted or international relationships turn sour. China imposed an export ban on Nexperia’s Chinese branch affecting products with both civilian and military applications.
For Nexperia’s workers and customers, the government intervention aims to maintain stable operations while protecting Dutch interests in an increasingly complex technological landscape. The company employs over 12,500 individuals across multiple continents and ships more than 110 billion products annually.
