State Cites Governance Failures and Security Threats
The Dutch government has seized control of Nexperia, a chip manufacturer majority-owned by China’s Wingtech Technology, citing serious management deficiencies and concerns over national security. In a statement, the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed it had activated rarely used emergency legislation to curtail the powers of Nexperia’s leadership and install temporary oversight. The company, based in Nijmegen, has operated under Wingtech’s ownership since 2019.
Protecting Domestic Access to Critical Technologies
Officials said the move was designed to secure the Netherlands’ semiconductor capabilities and prevent sensitive technological expertise from leaving the country. Although the state has taken charge of the company’s governance, Nexperia’s production sites will continue to function normally, and employees are not expected to be affected. The intervention underscores growing European unease about foreign investment in industries seen as crucial to economic and strategic security.
Wingtech Denounces Intervention, Plans Legal Appeal
Wingtech has condemned the decision, describing it as politically driven and contrary to international investment norms. The firm maintains that it has complied with all legal and regulatory requirements and said it will challenge the Dutch action in court. This marks the first occasion on which the Netherlands has deployed its emergency economic powers to intervene in a foreign-owned technology enterprise, highlighting a tougher approach to safeguarding critical national assets.
