On November 16, 2025, Christophe Fouquet, CEO of Dutch technology powerhouse ASML, addressed the growing concerns over recent tensions between the Netherlands and China. In a Dutch television interview, Fouquet assured viewers and the global tech industry that, at least for now, ASML’s business remains untouched by the diplomatic standoff that has erupted over the Dutch government’s intervention in chipmaker Nexperia. “It will not affect our business in the short term,” Fouquet stated, according to Reuters and Global Banking and Finance Review, adding that he believes the worst of the crisis may already be behind them.
This episode has cast a sharp spotlight on the fragility of the global semiconductor supply chain. The dispute began when Dutch authorities seized control of Nexperia, a company with operations in both Europe and China, over mounting concerns about the transfer of sensitive technology. The move sparked a standoff between Nexperia’s European business and its Chinese plant, leading to significant disruption in the flow of chips that are vital for the worldwide automotive sector. As Fouquet described it, “What is key on this topic is to talk before you escalate and maybe this time it went the other way around.”
For the uninitiated, Nexperia is no minor player. The chips it produces are essential components in modern vehicles, powering everything from engine controls to safety systems. When the supply chain is interrupted, as it has been in recent weeks, the ripple effects can be felt across the automotive industry—potentially slowing production lines and raising costs for manufacturers and consumers alike. According to Global Banking and Finance Review, this disruption is already snarling the supply of crucial chips as of November 2025.
The broader context, as Fouquet explained during his appearance on the Dutch TV program Buitenhof, is even more sobering. The Nexperia standoff serves as a stark reminder that the semiconductor ecosystem is “fragile.” He emphasized that “dialog is essential” and called on all parties to “show responsibility” to prevent such disputes from escalating further. In his words, the episode “highlights how important it is that all parties show responsibility.”
Why does this matter so much? Semiconductors are often called the “brains” of modern electronics. They’re found in everything from smartphones to satellites, and their production is concentrated in a handful of companies and countries. ASML, for instance, is the world’s leading supplier of photolithography machines—highly specialized equipment that’s indispensable in the manufacture of advanced chips. Any disruption in this delicate web of suppliers, customers, and regulators can have outsized effects on global technology and industry.
For ASML itself, however, Fouquet maintained a steady optimism. Despite the geopolitical storm swirling around the company, he reiterated that ASML’s business operations have not been impacted in the short term. This sentiment was echoed in multiple outlets, including Reuters and Global Banking and Finance Review, both of which reported Fouquet’s confidence that the company is weathering the crisis. “I believe the worst of the crisis is over,” Fouquet noted, offering a measure of reassurance to investors and industry watchers alike.
Still, the situation remains tense. The Dutch government’s move to seize Nexperia was prompted by fears that critical technology could be transferred from Europe to China, raising alarms not only about economic competitiveness but also about national security. The ensuing standoff between Nexperia’s European and Chinese operations has become a flashpoint in the wider debate over how to balance open markets with the need to protect sensitive technologies.
Looking ahead, there are signs that diplomacy may yet prevail. A Dutch delegation is set to travel to China next week for further talks, according to reports from Reuters and Global Banking and Finance Review. The hope is that face-to-face dialogue can defuse tensions and pave the way for a more stable, predictable relationship between the two countries—at least in the realm of high-tech manufacturing.
Fouquet’s comments about escalation are particularly telling. “What is key on this topic is to talk before you escalate and maybe this time it went the other way around,” he remarked, suggesting that in this instance, action may have preceded proper communication. It’s a lesson that resonates far beyond the world of semiconductors: in an era of complex, interconnected supply chains, missteps and misunderstandings can have global consequences.
The Nexperia crisis has also prompted broader reflection within the tech industry. As Fouquet observed, the episode is a “stark reminder of the critical nature of the semiconductor industry.” The industry’s importance is hard to overstate—semiconductors underpin everything from consumer electronics to military systems, and their steady supply is a prerequisite for economic growth and security. The fact that a single dispute can disrupt such a vital artery of global commerce is a wake-up call for policymakers and business leaders alike.
Of course, the stakes are high for both the Netherlands and China. For the Dutch, safeguarding technological know-how is a matter of national interest. For China, access to advanced chip technology is crucial for its ambitions in fields like artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and electric vehicles. Navigating these competing priorities will require not just technical expertise, but also deft diplomacy and a willingness to engage in honest, constructive dialogue.
ASML’s position in all this is somewhat unique. As a supplier of critical manufacturing equipment, the company sits at the crossroads of East and West, serving customers around the globe. Fouquet’s insistence on the need for “responsibility” and “dialog” reflects a growing recognition that the semiconductor industry cannot afford to be held hostage by geopolitics. Instead, it must find ways to build trust and resilience, even in the face of uncertainty.
For now, the immediate crisis appears to be easing, at least from ASML’s perspective. But the underlying issues remain unresolved—technology transfer, supply chain security, and the balance between openness and protectionism will continue to shape the industry’s future. As the Dutch delegation prepares for its upcoming trip to China, all eyes will be on whether cooler heads can prevail and whether the lessons of the Nexperia standoff will lead to more robust mechanisms for managing disputes.
One thing is clear: the world’s reliance on semiconductors isn’t going anywhere. Ensuring their steady supply will require not just technical ingenuity, but also a renewed commitment to dialogue and cooperation. As Fouquet’s remarks underscore, the path forward depends on talking before tensions boil over—because, as recent events have shown, escalation can come all too quickly.
