China puts blame on Dutch for chip war hurting car industry

China has told the Netherlands to "stop interfering" in the seized chipmaker Nexperia, accusing it of prolonging a dispute that has disrupted the global car industry.

- Lisa O'Carroll Olivia Konotey-Ahulu

The Dutch government took control of the semiconductor-maker at the end of September amid US security concerns about the company's Chinese parent, Wingtech Technology.

In response, China halted exports of Nexperia products, restricting access to the vital components used in everything from airbags to central locking, and prompting carmakers in the EU, the UK and Japan to issue warnings that supply shortages could lead to stoppages.

The EU is in the middle of urgent talks with Beijing to lift export controls on the chips and also on crucial rare earth minerals, after a summit with officials from both sides in Brussels on Friday. Yesterday, however, China signalled its decisions were still being coloured by the Nexperia dispute, accusing the Dutch of failing to cooperate on export exemptions and urging them to ease supply issues.