Dutch Minister Says China's Chip Export Block Was Unexpected

A Dutch minister has admitted that China's move to block a key company's semiconductor exports caught him by surprise. The incident involves Nexperia, a chipmaker headquartered in the Netherlands but owned by China. The minister's concession raises new questions about the planning behind the Dutch government's own intervention. In September, officials used a Cold War-era law to intervene in Nexperia's operations. That Dutch action triggered a supply chain shock for the global automotive industry. It appears to have prompted China's subsequent decision to block Nexperia's chips from leaving its country. The exchange highlights how export controls are becoming a preferred economic tool between nations. The minister now acknowledges being unprepared for Beijing's direct response.