[News] EU Tech Chief to Meet Nexperia; Wingtech Demands CEO’s Reinstatement Amid China Shift Claims

Disruptions at Nexperia continue to heighten concerns over a potential auto chip shortage, putting additional pressure on global automakers. In response, the EU is stepping in. According to Reuters, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen is set to meet with the chipmaker on Friday.

Virkkunen announced the planned meeting on X, saying the case provides “important lessons being drawn for the EU’s #ChipsAct 2.0,” which is expected to launch in early 2026. Earlier on Thursday, she also held virtual meetings with the chief executives of Infineon, STMicroelectronics, NXP, and Acea, the report adds.

How the US-China Summit Might Shape Wingtech’s Position

The standoff between Nexperia and the Dutch government may be shifting following the recent U.S.-China meeting. According to South China Morning Post, China’s Ministry of Commerce said Washington would temporarily suspend its so-called 50 percent subsidiary rule, a policy that is believed to have prompted the Dutch government to tighten its grip on Nexperia.

As the South China Morning Post explains, the rule, introduced in late September, expanded U.S. export controls to include any company at least 50 percent owned by entities on Washington’s trade blacklist. With the rule now on hold, the Dutch government may find it harder to justify maintaining its seizure of the Chinese-owned chipmaker, the report indicates.

Wingtech’s Push to Reinstate Ousted CEO Zhang Amid Alleged China Shift

Meanwhile, Wingtech, the parent company of Nexperia, has outlined conditions for resuming the chipmaker’s global supply. Bloomberg notes that Wingtech is demanding the reinstatement of former CEO Zhang Xuezheng as part of any deal to restart Nexperia’s exports from China, a stance that significantly complicates efforts to resolve the standoff.

New details have emerged about the circumstances reportedly surrounding Zhang’s removal. According to Reuters, sources say the Dutch government’s decision to seize control of Nexperia in September stemmed from concerns that Zhang had begun shifting the company’s European operations and production to China.

Reuters further notes, citing sources, that Zhang, who is also the founder of Nexperia’s Chinese parent company Wingtech, had planned to lay off 40% of staff in Europe and close a research and development facility in Munich. Before being suspended as CEO by a Dutch court, Zhang had transferred confidential information from Nexperia’s Manchester plant in the U.K. to a Wingtech facility in China, including chip designs and equipment settings, according to Reuters, citing sources.

Read more

• [News] Nexperia China Arm Defies HQ; Parent Wingtech Flags Cash-Flow Strain Despite 280% Q3 Profit Jump
• [News] Nexperia Export Ban Reportedly Drives 5–20% Auto Chip Hikes in Q4; Taiwan Sees Rush Orders

(Photo credit: Nexperia)