China says US using spy claims to justify technology 'blockade'

Nexperia's Chinese branch asserts that its domestic 12-inch wafer platform now encompasses all product categories, signifying a significant achievement in constructing an autonomous supply chain, more than a year after its Dutch parent ceased direct shipments of European wafers. During a presentation at the 23rd China International Semiconductor Expo in Beijing on Thursday, Nexperia China CEO John Chang stated that the local division had collaborated with domestic foundries while utilizing its own facilities and local contractors for chip packaging and testing.

Chang declared, "We have completed the localisation of the entire chain, from product definition and development to manufacturing."

Although the company is still transitioning existing product lines to the new platform—a target initially set in August—the change has already reduced delivery times for certain components to four to six weeks, down from 12 to 16 weeks. Chang's comments highlight the escalating conflict between the two companies, following just two days after Stefan Tilger, the interim CEO of the Dutch firm, told Reuters that the independently managed Chinese operations could potentially rejoin the larger group.

Tilger mentioned that Nexperia had expanded its chip-packaging operations in Malaysia to compensate for the loss of Chinese capacity, although the company still cannot meet global demand. The dispute originated in September last year when The Hague imposed an emergency law to freeze Nexperia's assets and obstruct intellectual property transfers, prompted by US sanctions targeting its Chinese subsidiary, Wingtech Technology.

Despite the Dutch government subsequently suspending its order due to retaliatory Chinese export controls threatening global car chip supplies, ongoing court measures limiting Wingtech's control persist. The tension has recently intensified. Last week, Wingtech rejected a restructuring proposal that would have granted outside investors a controlling stake in the majority of Nexperia while retaining it for the Chinese business.

Meanwhile, the Dutch chipmaker initiated legal proceedings in the Netherlands seeking approximately US$2 billion in damages. Wingtech's filing asserts that Nexperia's Chinese-built supply chain disrupted its global operations and introduced direct competition—a claim Wingtech denies.