‘I’d do it all again,’ says Dutch minister at heart of car chip standoff with China

The recent standoff between the EU and China over Nexperia has underscored the vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain, which is critical for the global car industry. Vincent Karremans, the Dutch minister at the center of this dispute, has called it a 'wake-up call' for Western leaders, reflecting a growing concern about dependency on China. This sentiment is echoed by experts who argue that China is leveraging its position in the semiconductor market as a strategic advantage against the EU. The Chinese government has expressed 'extreme disappointment' with Karremans, indicating the geopolitical tensions surrounding this issue. The situation serves as a crucial reminder for Europe to strengthen its semiconductor capabilities and reduce reliance on external sources.