BELÉM (dpa-AFX) - In the dispute over halted chip deliveries from Nexperia, a key supplier for the automotive industry, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has indicated that there are signs of progress. "It now appears that the way is open for a resumption of deliveries," Merz said on the sidelines of a climate summit in Belém, Brazil. He noted that he had previously spoken again with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof regarding the issue. "We have also been in contact over the past few days, and we have asked our foreign ministers to engage at their level as well, including discussions with the People's Republic of China," Merz added.
Nexperia has faced delivery problems after the Dutch government took control of the company in Nijmegen, which is owned by a Chinese parent group. In response, China halted exports of Nexperia products such as chips for the automotive sector. In recent weeks, this has caused significant concern in the automotive industry over a possible shortage of components.
"Talks have taken place, and there are positive signals that deliveries can resume," Merz said. "This could happen within the next few hours. Following my conversation with the Dutch Prime Minister, I am confident that this will succeed."
According to news agency Bloomberg, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that China has agreed to resume shipments of Nexperia chips from factories in the country. "We have been informed by China that they will enable the resumption of shipments from Nexperia's Chinese factories," Schoof said at the summit in Belém. "We do not yet know how quickly they will deliver, but I consider this an important message, and the Chancellor has naturally welcomed it, as it is significant for Germany."
"This is also good news for German car plants," Schoof added. "We do not yet know how quickly they will deliver, but I consider this an important message, and the Chancellor has naturally welcomed it, as it is significant for Germany."
Ralf Brandstätter, Volkswagen's board member for China, told the "Handelsblatt" newspaper that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce had stated that short-term exemptions would be granted. "Initial exports have already taken place," Brandstätter said. "How quickly and sustainably this system works depends above all on the stability of relations between the United States and China." So far, VW has not experienced any production issues. Supply of the affected chips from Nexperia is secured until at least the end of next week, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Automotive supplier Aumovio, a spin-off from Continental, also referred to a license from the Chinese government, according to Aumovio CEO Philipp von Hirschheydt. The components are being sent to their branch in Budapest and distributed from there.
