BEIJING, Nov 1, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - China's commerce ministry said Saturday it is considering exempting some Nexperia chips from an export ban imposed over a row with Dutch officials that has alarmed European businesses.

Anxiety over chip shortages began when Dutch officials invoked a Cold War-era law in late September to effectively take control of the chipmaker, a Chinese-owned firm whose factories are in Europe.

In response, China banned any re-exports of Nexperia chips to Europe, igniting fresh geopolitical tensions.

"We will comprehensively consider the actual situation of enterprises and grant exemptions to exports that meet the criteria," a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

The resumption of shipments from chipmaker Nexperia was part of a trade deal agreed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump after talks in South Korea on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reported citing unnamed sources.

Chinese and European Union officials were also to discuss Nexperia while meeting in Brussels the same day, EU spokesman Olof Gill had said.

European carmakers and parts suppliers had warned of shortages of key chips supplied by Nexperia that would force stoppages at production lines in Europe.

Beijing suggested on Saturday some shipments would resume.

Companies who were experiencing difficulties could contact the ministry or local commerce authorities, the Chinese ministry spokesperson said.

Nexperia produces relatively simple technologies such as diodes, voltage regulators and transistors that are nonetheless crucial, as vehicles increasingly rely on electronics.

The chips are mainly found in cars but also in a wide range of industrial components as well as consumer and mobile electronics like refrigerators.

It makes them in Europe before sending them to China for finishing and are then re-exported back to European clients.