Dutch-China Chip Spat Risks Hit to Europe Automotive Production

Vincent Karremans had been guiding Dutch economic policy in a caretaker role for a little over three months, when the former entrepreneur elbowed aside a chipmaker’s Chinese owners and escalated a geopolitical spat that threatens another blow to Europe’s economy.

Pushed by US actions to restrict trade with Nexperia, the 38-year-old minister of economic affairs assumed veto powers over the Nijmegen-based company — a key supplier whose parts end up in vehicles made by manufacturers such as Volkswagen AG.