Ministry of Commerce
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a meeting via video link with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic for in-depth exchanges on issues including the Nexperia case and other trade and investment matters on Wednesday, according to a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).
Wang stressed that regarding the Nexperia case, the root cause and responsibility for the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply and industrial chains lie with the Dutch side. He noted that the Chinese government has consistently acted responsibly, taking timely and concrete measures to help maintain and restore stability in the global semiconductor supply chain, according to the statement.
Wang pointed out that the Netherlands' recent decision to suspend its administrative order marked a small step toward resolving the issue, but improper administrative and judicial intervention against the company has yet to be lifted. As a result, normal operations in the global semiconductor supply chain have not been restored and significant uncertainties remain.
Wang said it is hoped that the EU will play a constructive role by urging the Dutch government to put forward a workable solution as soon as possible and create favourable conditions for the company's internal consultations.
Sefcovic expressed appreciation for the great efforts made by the MOFCOM to help address the Nexperia issue and prevent a broader crisis in the global semiconductor supply chain. He noted that the matter has not yet been fully resolved, and said the EU is willing to work with China to further ease tensions and push the situation toward stabilization, according to the MOFCOM statement.
Both sides agreed that the companies involved should play the primary role in resolving the Nexperia issue. They will jointly urge Nexperia Netherlands and Nexperia China to begin constructive communication as soon as possible, seek a long-term solution, and work toward the early restoration of stability and smooth operations in the global semiconductor supply chain, according to the statement.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-EU export control issues.
Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the current decisions surrounding the Nexperia case involve European government bodies as well as judicial and legislative systems. Despite China's communications with the Dutch side, progress has remained limited, he noted.
He added that this round of dialogue with the EU is aimed at encouraging the bloc to view the issue from the perspective of the entire industrial chain, ensuring a fair and predictable market environment and preventing further shocks to supply chains, particularly in the automotive sector. Such efforts would help maintain stable expectations for companies and create better conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation, Zhou said.
Jian Junbo, director of the Center for China-Europe Relations at Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that putting the issue on the agenda of the China-EU dialogue reflects the Chinese government's commitment to address bilateral trade frictions through dialogue. The incident has already affected China-EU economic ties and the normal operations of European companies, he noted.
