Netherlands Takes Control of Strategic Semiconductor Factory from China

In a decisive move to protect Western technological sovereignty, the Dutch government has seized control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia, dealing a significant blow to Beijing’s attempts to dominate critical semiconductor supply chains.

The Dutch Economic Ministry’s “highly exceptional” intervention, invoking the Goods Availability Act, represents another crucial step in the West’s growing pushback against Communist China’s strategic acquisition of vital technology assets. This action follows similar protective measures taken by the United States and United Kingdom, forming a clear pattern of Western nations finally awakening to the existential threat posed by Chinese control of critical infrastructure.

The facts are clear and concerning: Nexperia, owned by Chinese corporation Wingtech, holds strategic positions in both European semiconductor production and intellectual property. The Dutch government cited “serious governance shortcomings” that threatened European economic security – diplomatic language that barely conceals the real issue: potential Chinese Communist Party control over essential technology supply chains.

This intervention didn’t occur in a vacuum. In December 2024, the U.S. government placed Wingtech on its entity list, effectively blacklisting the company as a national security threat. The United Kingdom previously forced Nexperia to divest its Newport silicon chip plant, demonstrating a coordinated Western response to Chinese technological expansion.

The logic behind these actions is straightforward: In any crisis scenario, a Chinese-owned company could be compelled by Beijing to redirect crucial semiconductor supplies to China, effectively holding European manufacturing hostage. This would cripple industries ranging from automotive to consumer electronics, affecting millions of jobs and billions in economic output.

While leftist critics might decry this as protectionist policy, the reality is that free market principles must be balanced against national security interests. The Chinese Communist Party has consistently demonstrated its willingness to weaponize economic relationships for political gain, making such defensive measures not just prudent but necessary.

Wingtech’s response – threatening legal action and seeking government intervention – only underscores the validity of these concerns. Their reaction mirrors Beijing’s typical playbook: crying foul when Western nations dare to protect their strategic interests while China maintains some of the world’s most restrictive foreign investment policies.

This development marks a significant shift in European policy toward Chinese economic influence, potentially setting precedent for similar actions across the EU. The message is clear: The era of naive economic engagement with China is ending, replaced by a more clear-eyed assessment of national security risks in critical technology sectors.

The Dutch government’s action represents a victory for Western technological independence and a necessary step in securing our economic future against potential Chinese coercion. It’s time for other Western nations to follow suit and take similar decisive action to protect their critical infrastructure from foreign control.