The Netherlands just imposed restrictions, and Turkey blocked investments; Germany turned to revisit old issues, while China quietly changed the export approval of gallium and graphite from "annual review" to "per-transaction check" — in this round of confrontation, no one is playing with their cards on the table, but every step hits the opponent's vital point.

Analog Devices is not an ordinary company; it is an under-the-radar champion in automotive-grade chips, and one-third of the power devices in European new energy vehicles can't avoid it.

But behind it is Wen Tai, Chinese capital, and a "technology infiltrator" in the eyes of Europe and the US.

So the Netherlands used "single-use equipment" to block ion implanters, Turkey blocked a wafer factory with the excuse of "national strategy," and Germany revisited an acquisition case from three years ago, saying you secretly upgraded the production line and must split shares.

China didn't make any slogans, but its actions were more severe.

Gallium, germanium, high-purity graphite — these materials, like "seasonings" in semiconductors, suddenly became "sensitive items" that require 20 days of waiting for each export.

Analog Devices' plant in the UK gets 70% of its gallium from China. Now it's cut off, so they either stop production, buy at high prices, or find alternatives.

But where are the alternatives?

Japan and the U.S. have already filled their capacities.

Interestingly, China itself hasn't been idle.

BYD, China Resources, and Shilan Mingjia, three automotive-grade chip factories, have almost simultaneously ramped up production. With 28.7 billion invested, the goal is clear: within three years, domestic equipment replacement rate will increase from 25% to 60%.

It's not about replacing Analog Devices, but making Europe's blockade "painless."

This isn't a trade war; it's a reshuffling of the technical ecosystem.

Previously, we bought equipment, materials, and technology; now it's their turn to fear being choked by us, fearing we will bypass them to build our own closed-loop systems.

The Netherlands wants to lock down equipment with laws, while China locks down the supply chain with resources.

Whoever gives in first, loses.

In 2026, whether your electric vehicle charges quickly or the motor is stable may no longer depend on Bosch or Infineon, but on the factories in Changsha, Chongqing, and Xiamen, whether they can produce chips without Dutch machines.

This silent war is more real and more deadly than a tariff war.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846184688652288/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.