Want to buy Chinese chips, it's possible, but China has put forward a condition

November 10 news, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Šefčovič, announced on social media that China has agreed to resume supplying key semiconductors to the European automotive industry, but with one condition: these chips can only be used for civilian purposes.

This means that the export licenses that were frozen due to the Dutch forced takeover of the Chinese company, Nexperia Semiconductor, will be partially lifted under the condition of civilian use.

Dutch Prime Minister Scholz subsequently confirmed that he had received notice from China allowing Nexperia Semiconductor to resume shipments from its Chinese factories to Europe.

The European side said this is the result of the joint efforts of the Netherlands, Germany, and the European Commission.

In recent years, Europe has repeatedly used "national security" as a reason to block Chinese investments or participation in supply chains, such as forcibly divesting Nexperia Semiconductor, reviewing宁德时代 (CATL) battery factory plans, and interfering with Huawei's 5G projects.

Now, China has also set the same logic in semiconductor exports — it can sell, but the usage must be clearly defined, and a commitment to only civilian use must be signed.

Previously, the US and Europe frequently abused export controls under the pretext of so-called national security, arbitrarily placing Chinese companies on blacklists, but now China is using the same tool to retaliate.

This is a mirror for Europe. Europe has long hoped to maintain independence in the Sino-US tech rivalry, but facts have shown that as long as its policies are led by the United States, it is difficult to protect its own industrial interests.

This incident has made Europe clearly see that unilateral security reviews will only make supply chains more vulnerable, costs higher, and companies more passive.

This marks China's shift from passive defense to active rule-making in global high-tech trade.

China is not targeting anyone, but is protecting its own interests, maintaining the symmetry of rules, and establishing a new consensus for global supply chains — cooperation can continue, but it must be based on mutual trust and reciprocity.

Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1848383354203211/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.