China has barred Nexperia from exporting certain products made at its China facilities, the Dutch-owned chipmaker said on Oct. 14, as tensions mount after the Dutch government took control of the firm over security concerns.
Nexperia, owned by China’s Wingtech Technology but headquartered in the Netherlands, said the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued an export control notice on Oct. 4 prohibiting its China subsidiary and subcontractors from exporting specified finished components and sub-assemblies. The company, a major supplier of mature-node chips used in automotive and consumer electronics, said it is seeking an exemption.
China’s export control action preceded the Dutch government’s decision on Oct. 12 to invoke the Cold War-era Goods Availability Act to assert control over Nexperia’s management, citing signals of “serious governance shortcomings” and the potential loss of critical technological capabilities to foreign interests. It was the first time the law had been used….