Nexperia sues Chinese owner Wingtech for damages
Nijmegen chipmaker Nexperia is taking its Chinese parent company and the firm's founder to court, a step that escalates a dispute that last year became a diplomatic conflict between the Netherlands and China.
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Nexperia has sued its Chinese parent company Wingtech and founder Zhang Xuezheng, it emerged on Tuesday. In a statement, Nexperia says the two caused considerable damage to the company and its activities, and it wants compensation.
Wingtech says Nexperia is claiming more than $2bn. It rejects the accusations and says it will defend itself once the case has been formally served on it and accepted by the court.
The dispute dates from September 2025, when the Dutch government stepped in over fears that key knowledge, technology and production would leave Nexperia for China. The Enterprise Chamber (Ondernemingskamer) then suspended Zhang and placed Wingtech's shares under independent management.
The court later ruled that the temporary measures stay in force while its investigation into possible mismanagement at Nexperia continues.
China responded to the Dutch intervention with export restrictions on chips made in the country, which caused problems for carmakers among others. After talks between the Netherlands and China, the restrictions were partly eased.
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Ondernemingskamer
The Enterprise Chamber is a specialised chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal that rules on company law disputes in the Netherlands. It can take measures such as suspending directors or supervisory board members and placing a company's shares under independent management when there are serious governance problems.