Dutch Government Takes Control of China-Owned Chipmaker Nexperia (reuters.com)
- Reference: 0179773108
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/10/13/2121258/dutch-government-takes-control-of-china-owned-chipmaker-nexperia
- Source link: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/dutch-government-intervenes-chinese-owned-computer-chip-firm-nexperia-2025-10-12/
> The Hague invoked never-before-used powers under a Dutch law known as the "Availability of Goods Act." The decision led to a 10% fall in Wingtech's shares in Shanghai on Monday. The Dutch government will not take ownership of Nexperia, but it will now have the power to reverse or block management decisions it considers harmful. The company's regular production is continuing. [...] Wingtech called the Dutch government's intervention in Nexperia, once part of Dutch electronics group Philips, "excessive interference driven by geopolitical bias." Wingtech also alleged that non-Chinese Nexperia executives had tried to forcibly alter the company's equity structure through legal proceedings in a "cloaked power grab" on the company.
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> A copy of an Amsterdam commercial court ruling dated October 7 and seen by Reuters showed that the court decided on October 1 to suspend Wingtech CEO Zhang Xuezheng from his position as executive director at Nexperia after finding "well founded reasons to doubt" the company was pursuing correct management policy or actions under Dutch civil law. It appointed Dutch businessman Guido Dierick to take Zhang's position with a "deciding vote", and transferred control of almost all of Nexperia's shares to a Dutch lawyer for management. The Dutch state and the company's labour council had supported the moves, the document showed. [...]
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> In its statement, the Dutch government said that administrative problems at Nexperia posed a threat to the company's "crucial technological knowledge" without elaborating. "The loss of these capabilities could pose a risk to Dutch and European economic security," it said. Nexperia is one of the world's largest makers of simple computer chips such as diodes and transistors, though it also develops more advanced technologies such as "wide gap" semiconductors used in electrical settings and useful for electric cars, chargers and AI data centres. Wingtech said in a filing to the Shanghai stock exchange on Monday that its control over Nexperia would be temporarily restricted due to the Dutch order and court rulings, affecting decision making and operational efficiency.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/dutch-government-intervenes-chinese-owned-computer-chip-firm-nexperia-2025-10-12/
[2] https://slashdot.org/~evil_aaronm
Delicious irony (Score:1)
One group of communists taking the property of another group of communists.
Re: (Score:2)
Minister-president Dick Schoof is from a party classified "radical right and right-wing populist" ( [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org] )
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_for_Freedom#Ideology
Re: (Score:2)
The right wing has always enjoyed stealing other people's stuff and giving it to their cronies. That's what they go into politics for, normally.
Due diligence -- ? (Score:2)
When the Wingtech purchase was first discussed, did no one in the Netherlands consider that it might be a bad idea to have this "critical" company in the majority hands of a foreign organization? Seems like no one did their homework. This might pass in America, because everyone in this administration has a price, but I expect a little more forethought and integrity with other countries. I reserve the option to be naive about Netherlands business culture.
Re: (Score:2)
Private companies can change ownership freely. What has changed is China is now openly considered an adversary, which was not the case 9 years ago.
The EC did analyze but can only oppose if market distortions in the EEA can be expected; which is not the case because NXP/Nexperia have plenty of competition in the EU.
> the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) and 6 of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.4 [...] the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. [1]https://ec.europa.eu/competiti... [europa.eu]
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m8125_93_3.pdf
Be careful of unintended consequences (Score:2)
Foreign companies thinking about creating jobs in The Netherlands may now think twice. "Could something similar happen to me?"
Re: (Score:2)
Wingtech bought out Philips. They probably didn't create any jobs.
Re: (Score:2)
> "Could something similar happen to me?"
They're only going to deter foreign companies from taking full control over Dutch companies.
Re: (Score:2)
True. But perhaps putting off Chinese buyouts is an intended consequence?
Re: (Score:1)
> Foreign companies thinking about creating jobs in The Netherlands may now think twice. "Could something similar happen to me?"
It's a Dutch fab company that got gobbled up by a Chinese company. It was originally part of Philips. Foreign companies didn't create jobs in this case, unless the fab grew significantly in the last six years. If anything, they've been selling off some of their [1]existing fabs [vishay.com].
From all indications, the main purpose of the takeover was to prevent sending technology secrets to China, and possibly to prevent the illegal sale of their chips to [2]Russia [nltimes.nl].
Nothing to see here. Move along.
[1] https://ir.vishay.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vishay-intertechnology-acquires-nexperias-newport-wafer-fab-177
[2] https://nltimes.nl/2023/01/27/millions-computer-chips-dutch-manufacturers-wound-russia-report