October 23, 2025 — Shanghai, China — Nexperia's Chinese subsidiary has publicly rejected a decision by the Dutch headquarters to remove John Chang as vice-president of global sales and marketing, declaring the dismissal legally ineffective in China and escalating a high-profile corporate and geopolitical dispute.

Nexperia China, the company's primary production entity in the country responsible for roughly 70% of its global output, said in a bilingual statement posted on its official WeChat account that the Dutch decision "shall not have legal effect within the jurisdiction of China." The statement added that Chang's position remains unchanged and that all actions taken under his authority represent Nexperia China. The company reaffirmed that operations, production, and partnerships continue "in an orderly and normal manner" under Chinese law and internal management systems.

Chang, a veteran with more than two decades of experience at the former parent company NXP Semiconductors, joined Nexperia when it spun off in 2017 and continued through its acquisition by China's Wingtech Technology in 2019. Nexperia has not provided an official reason for his removal.

The dispute follows the Dutch government's recent seizure of Nexperia from Wingtech, citing national security concerns under the 1952 Goods Availability Act. The law, rarely used since the Cold War era, allows the Dutch government to block transfers of critical technology and knowledge outside the Netherlands and Europe. The takeover also involved allegations of a $200 million misappropriation by the former CEO, Zhang Xuezheng, who was removed during the intervention. Nexperia's head office is currently led by interim CEO Stefan Tilger.

Although both Nexperia China and the European headquarters insist that business operations are proceeding normally, the dispute has triggered concerns among clients about product supply. Reports suggest that only about 30% of the company's global output is accessible to international markets, with the remainder effectively tied to China until the situation is resolved. Automotive clients such as Valeo SE, a key supplier to Volkswagen, BMW, and Stellantis, have already secured substitutes for 95% of required chips. Analysts warn that the conflict could have knock-on effects on global supply chains, including automotive production in Japan.

In response to Dutch statements questioning the quality of chips from its Chinese facilities, Nexperia China issued a letter assuring clients that all products manufactured and delivered in China comply fully with local laws, regulatory requirements, and Nexperia's technical and quality standards. The company emphasized its commitment to ensuring continuity, stability, and transparency in the supply chain, promising to communicate proactively with customers regarding any changes in production, technology, or standards.

The Nexperia incident underscores the growing influence of geopolitics in the semiconductor sector and the complex dynamics between European headquarters and Chinese subsidiaries. It also highlights how China-based operations of multinational chipmakers can wield substantial leverage due to their production scale, creating potential risks and uncertainties for global clients and partners.