A battle for control of a little-known chipmaker has threatened global auto production by choking off the semiconductor supply chain though there are signs the crisis is inching toward a resolution The power struggle over Nexperia a Chinese-owned Dutch semiconductor maker highlights how technology supply chain vulnerabilities are squeezing auto makers most notably forcing Honda to halt production at a Mexican factory making its popular HR-V crossover for North American markets It also exposes how Europe is caught in the middle of the wider geopolitical showdown between Washington and Beijing Heres a look at the dispute A surprise move —————– The turmoil erupted into public view in mid-October when the Dutch government announced it had invoked a rarely used World War II-era law to take effective control of Nexperia weeks earlier The Dutch ministry of economic affairs said it took action because of national security concerns Officials said they intervened because of serious governance shortcomings at Nexperia asserting control to prevent the loss of crucial tech know-how that could threaten Europes economic security
