Overview
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will suspend for 12 months the planned BIS “50% rule” in return for Beijing lifting its new rare‑earth controls.
- EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said China confirmed the rare‑earths suspension applies to the EU, with both sides discussing license facilitation to stabilize supply.
- China’s commerce ministry said it is considering case‑by‑case exemptions to allow some Nexperia chips to be exported again after the earlier halt from its Dongguan unit.
- The Netherlands’ October takeover of Nexperia remains in force after the removal of the China‑appointed board, and Reuters reporting cited by Corriere says the Dutch parent moved to stop sending wafers to its China plant.
- Automakers report strain as Honda halted output at its Celaya, Mexico factory for lack of Nexperia chips and ACEA warned European manufacturers are running down reserves and risk assembly‑line stoppages.