In its first statement since the Dutch move took effect on September 30, Nexperia said it was "actively engaging" with authorities in Beijing to gain an exemption from China's counter-measures.

Late Sunday, the Dutch government said it had invoked a Cold War-era law to effectively take control of the company, citing concerns about mismanagement.

Under the 1952 Goods Availability Law, the Dutch government can block key decisions about hiring staff or relocating company parts for one year.

The Dutch government said its use was "highly exceptional" and was invoked to ensure Nexperia's chips that are used in a wide variety of electronic equipment would remain available in an emergency.

The firm said that China's response came on October 4. "The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued an export control notice prohibiting Nexperia China and its subcontractors from exporting specific finished components and sub-assemblies manufactured in China," the firm said.

According to the firm, a Dutch court last week ordered the suspension of Nexperia's Chief Executive Zhang Xuezheng after concluding there were "valid reasons to doubt sound management."

The court also ordered that virtually all shares, indirectly held by Chinese company Wingtech Technology, be managed by an independent court-appointed administrator.

Based in the Dutch city of Nijmegen, Nexperia says its chips power "virtually every electronic design worldwide."

Once part of Dutch electronics giant Philips, it was acquired in 2018 by Wingtech.