Minister Karremans still lives in the pre-Trump era

A “macho move.” That’s how former Nexperia CEO Frans Schepers described Minister Karremans’ intervention at the chip company, days after the initially secret maneuver came to light. Weeks later, Karremans did little to dispel that impression. As tensions escalated and European automakers began to feel the strain of supply chain disruptions, he told The Guardian he wouldn’t change a thing, even with the benefit of hindsight.

Since then, Karremans has traded in machismo for diplomacy. But the Chinese are standing firm, insisting that full control of the company be restored. That decision over control now lies with a Dutch court.