State Cites Management Failures and Security Risks
The Netherlands has taken control of Nexperia, a semiconductor company owned by China’s Wingtech Technology, following concerns over governance shortcomings and national security vulnerabilities. The Ministry of Economic Affairs said it had invoked exceptional powers to suspend the firm’s leadership authority and appoint independent administrators. Based in Nijmegen, Nexperia became part of Wingtech’s global operations in 2019 through a majority acquisition.
Protecting Vital Technology and National Interests
Government officials explained that the intervention was necessary to secure access to strategically important chip technologies and to prevent sensitive industrial knowledge from being transferred abroad. While oversight of the company has shifted to state-appointed managers, production and employment at Nexperia are expected to continue uninterrupted. The move aligns with broader European measures aimed at tightening control over critical technology sectors amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Wingtech Condemns the Decision and Plans to Sue
Wingtech has denounced the Dutch government’s action, calling it discriminatory and politically charged. The company said it has fully complied with both Dutch and European regulations and announced its intention to take legal steps to overturn the decision. The intervention marks the first instance of the Netherlands deploying emergency economic powers to assume control of a foreign-owned tech firm, underscoring a more defensive approach to protecting its semiconductor industry.
