Dutch official says he trusts Nexperia chips will reach world in coming days
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said on Thursday he was confident that computer chips produced by Dutch chipmaker Nexperia would reach customers in Europe and the rest of the world in the coming days.
A shortage of Nexperia chips following a dispute with China over ownership and control of the company has disrupted automotive supply chains, hit production and led some buyers to furlough staff. Chips are also widely used in industrial, computer, mobile and consumer products.
Karremans said in a statement that the Netherlands had been informed that the trade agreement reached by China and the United States last week would allow the resumption of supplies from Nexperia’s facilities in China.
“This is also consistent with the information provided to the European Commission by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce,” he said.
Karremans took control of Nexperia on September 30, citing fears that its operations would move to China, where its parent company, Wingtech, is based. The Chinese government responded by blocking exports on October 4.
This week, automakers and auto parts distributors began applying to China’s Ministry of Commerce for exemptions, but it is unclear whether they have received the chips.
(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Chang)
