Leading German auto supplier Aumovio said on Friday that it had received permission to source Nexperia semiconducters from China again.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that there were "positive signals" that deliveries could resume.

Aumovio supplies components such as sensors and displays to major automakers.

It was initially unclear similar export licenses had been issued for other Nexperia customers.

Nexperia produces components in Europe, but then sends them to China for finishing and then re-exports them back to clients in the European market.

Netherlands, China engage in Nexperia chip dispute

The Dutch government effectively took control of Nexperia in September, citing security concerns amid a broader European push to "de-risk" economic dependance on China.

Nexperia is based in Nijmegen in the Netherlands but is owned by Chinese firm Wingtech Technology.

In response to the move, China announced export controls on Nexperia chips in October.

The measure alarmed Western carmakers, who have warned that the components are critical for the onboarding of electronics.

Earlier this month, Beijing said that it could exempt some chips from the export ban in an apparent gesture toward de-escalation.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the exemption was part of a trade deal agreed upon by US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during an October 30 meeting in South Korea.

Germany's Merz points to 'positive signals' in Nexperia dispute

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was optimistic that chip exports from China would resume.

"It seems the way is now open for a resumption of deliveries," Merz told journalists at the COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil.

"There are positive signals that deliveries can resume. This could happen within the next few hours."

Merz added that he had spoken to Dutch Prime Minister Dirk Schoof on the subject.

Edited by: Zac Crellin