23 October 2025 – Aluminum prices have continued to climb in recent days, surpassing USD 2,800 per ton on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a dispute over a Chinese chipmaker is raising questions: Is the EU once again blaming everyone else for the automotive industry’s renewed supply problems?
Aluminum Prices Continue Their Upward Surge
Aluminum prices have risen further in recent days, climbing above USD 2,800 per ton on Wednesday. U.S. aluminum premiums have also increased, now standing at approximately USD 1,785 per ton, or USD 0.81 per pound.
The latest surge is being linked to growing concerns about the global aluminum supply situation.
Dispute Over Chinese Chipmaker: Is It Always Everyone Else’s Fault?
The automotive industry is once again facing trouble. After the Dutch government recently nationalized the chipmaker Nexperia – which had been sold to a Chinese company in 2019 – citing national security concerns, China has reportedly restricted exports from Nexperia China and its subsidiaries as of 4 October 2025, in response.
No official statement from China on export restrictions yet?
So far, the only indication of these restrictions comes from a publication on Nexperia’s own website. Despite extensive research, no official statements from the Chinese government have been found regarding export controls against this specific chipmaker.
China has also remained largely silent about the matter in its official press releases.
Nevertheless, many observers, including in Germany, have been quick to point fingers at the United States and President Donald Trump, portraying Washington as the culprit. Yet as early as December 2024, the former Biden administration had placed Nexperia China’s parent company, Wingtech Technology Co., Ltd., on the U.S. list of entities acting against national security interests.
The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security followed up on September 29, 2025, with additional restrictions – to which China responded on October 9, 2025, by imposing export controls on rare earth elements.
Conflict may also be rooted in the actions of the European Union
However, it seems the current conflict may also be rooted in the actions of the European Union, certain member states, and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič along with Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné, a factor often conveniently overlooked.
Simply nationalizing a chipmaker company without considering the potential consequences may have been the biggest mistake in this situation. The notion that the Netherlands acted solely under U.S. pressure seems doubtful in such a highly interconnected environment as the European Union, especially when considering the EU’s rhetoric and trade policy toward China in recent months and years.
Europe’s polemic stance toward China
In the end, the real losers of Europe’s polemic stance toward China, and increasingly also toward the United States, are domestic companies.
It’s high time for a course correction in Brussels.
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