De Rotterdamse haven is van groot strategisch belang voor Nederland. Voor onze handel met het buitenland, de EU én samenwerking met onze partners. Goed om Boudewijn Siemons van Havenbedrijf Rotterdam te spreken over de koers van de haven en hoe wij dat kunnen ondersteunen.

Nederlandse bedrijven staan klaar om bij te dragen aan het herstel en de wederopbouw van Oekraïne. Vandaag komen ze met Oekraïense partners samen in Breda om te spreken over concrete kansen en het verminderen van drempels voor zakendoen in Oekraïne. De wil is er, nu doorpakken.

Cameroon is buzzing with diplomacy during #WTOMC14. I look back on many productive discussions with fellow WTO member states. Engaging in dialogue is the best way to find joint solutions for improving the WTO trading system and ensuring a industrial level playing field.

🇫🇷🤝🇳🇱 Very good to meet French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicolas Forissier for the first time. France and the Netherlands are close partners, and our cooperation continues to grow in importance, also within the EU. Looking forward to building on that together.

From a mutually beneficial EU-Indian trade deal to a strategic partner of NL, I cherish the good relationship we have with India. Good to speak with @PiyushGoyal about our mutual interest in a stable & predictable trading system, and opportunities for cooperation in the WTO. 1/2

Dutch-German trade relationship is in excellent shape. It is important for NL to further grow this trade relationship. Furthermore, NL and Germany cooperate in the EU to address global trade challenges. Great to discuss this with Thomas Steffen.

Trade is in Dutch DNA. But trade is changing. And the WTO trading system should change too. In order to handle the challenges of today. Here at the WTO-conference, NL and Germany host an important discussion on one of those challenges: an industrial level playing field. 1/2

Since Singapore’s independence 60 years ago, the Netherlands and Singapore have strong and thriving economic ties. With the EU Digital trade agreement in 2024 our ties became even stronger. Good to meet Singaporean Minister Grace Fu in Cameroon to discuss further cooperation.

Türkiye & NL have strong ties. A key part of this is our economic relationship, with more than 3,000 Dutch companies operating in Türkiye and 1,500 Turkish companies in NL. In my meeting with Ömer Bolat we committed to high-level economic and trade consultations before summer.

Had a great exchange with🇨🇭Helene. Budliger Artieda. Our countries have highly innovative economies and a strong interest in a well-functioning rule-based trade system that supports our shared value chains. Good to continue building on our cooperation as close economic partners.

When global forces put pressure on international trade rules, the EU will aim to reinforce and uphold those rules. Ensuring a level playing field in global trade is key for the Netherlands and the EU here at #WTOMC14. I discussed this with EU-Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

Just participated in a solidarity event for #Ukraine. Good to see so many countries here in Yaoundé showing their unwavering support for Ukraine in attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka.

Good to meet Benin’s Min of Foreign Trade, Alimatou Shadiya Assouman. Our strong partnership, rooted in development cooperation, is expanding into trade and investment. We spoke about follow-up to last year’s trade mission and opportunities in agriculture, port development and water.

Less than two months ago, the Netherlands and South Korea signed a joint statement to strengthen our partnership. Its importance has only grown. Glad to meet Min Yeo Han-Koo to discuss geo-economic developments and how we work together to diversify and strengthen supply chains.

Important meeting with @undp.org on the security situation in the region, including the far north of Cameroon. The Netherlands supports UNDP efforts to strengthen stability by reinforcing state presence and providing essential services such as hospital wards and drinking water. 1/2

Grateful to Cameroon for hosting the #WTOMC14 at an important moment for global trade. It also gives me the chance to meet with Cameroon’s Minister of Economy Alamine Ousmane Mey and to further strengthen our economic and trade ties.

Had a constructive conversation with Chinese Minister Wang Wentao at #WTOMC14. We discussed our strong trade & investment partnership and WTO reforms. We agreed to hold economic and trade consultations in China soon, I will use this opportunity to lead a trade mission there. 1/2

With growing pressure on the global trading system, the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon comes at an important moment. Maintaining a strong and equal global trading system is of great importance to The Netherlands. 1/2

🇪🇺🤝🇦🇺 I welcome the conclusion of free trade negotiations between the EU and Australia, which was announced this morning.   In times of global uncertainty, new strategic partners are becoming increasingly important.

Ook nu de meeste gestrande Nederlanders veilig zijn, gaat het werk op onze ambassades in het Midden-Oosten onverminderd door. Met hen gesproken over de impact van het conflict en wat zij nodig hebben vanuit Den Haag. Dankbaar voor al het werk dat zij namens en voor ons doen.

The UK and the Netherlands share a strong trade partnership, and we are committed to building on it. Good to meet Minister of State Sir Chris Bryant today and discuss how we can remove trade barriers and strengthen our cooperation. Looking forward to continuing this work together.

From demining and strengthening local governance to countering child deportations in Ukraine and assessing early recovery needs in Gaza: @UNDP's work is vital worldwide. Spoke with UNDP-Administrator Alexander de Croo to express our appreciation for UNDP’s global efforts and key partnerships.

Behind every crisis are children whose futures are at risk. From the Middle East to Sudan and the war in Ukraine, this is the harsh reality for many children. Spoke about this with UNICEF-chief Catherine Russell & Mandeep O’Brien. UNICEF plays a crucial role in protecting them. 1/2

In turbulent times, strong institutions matter. @antonioguterres and I discussed the importance of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global trade and stable prices, and for the safe transit of essential goods like fertilizer to vulnerable countries. 1/2

Women’s rights are under pressure all over the world. UN Women plays a key role in addressing this. During my meeting with UN Women chief, Sima Bahous, I announced that NL will contribute 2 million euros to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls in 2026. 1/2

Child marriage, female genital mutilation and limited access to contraception. This is still a dire reality for many women and girls worldwide. Spoke with Diene Keita about the important work of @unfpa.org. They can count on our continued financial and political support.

Today I’m in the heart of international cooperation: New York! I’m starting my visit at the UN headquarters. It’s indispensable for peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development. And that makes it an indispensable partner for the Netherlands as well.

Het conflict in het Midden-Oosten raakt de veiligheid van Nederlanders in de regio en heeft ook impact op Nederlandse bedrijven die internationaal ondernemen. Vandaag sprak ik met @vnoncw.bsky.social en bedrijven over de gevolgen van het conflict en hoe we hen kunnen blijven ondersteunen.

Vandaag ontving ik het advies over de bescherming van hulpverleners van de AIV en CAVV. Hulpverleners kunnen steeds minder veilig hun werk doen. Dat is onacceptabel. Nederland zal zich steviger inzetten voor hun bescherming en de naleving van het humanitair oorlogsrecht.

Good to speak with EU Commissioner @marossefcovic.bsky.social. We discussed current trade issues, such as trade relations with the US & China. I emphasized that NL supports an ambitious EU trade agenda: seizing opportunities and standing up firmly for the interest of EU and Dutch companies.

Women's rights and gender equality are important issues for me. As a minister, as a human being, and as the father of two daughters. #InternationalWomensDay is a day to reflect. But not to be silent. That is why I spoke with three inspiring women: Mekka, Alma, and Linda. 1/2

Good to talk with Min Oleksii Sobolev. Dutch companies are ready to invest in Ukraine, now and for the long term. We’ll keep exploring how to turn that ambition into action. Together, we help keep Ukraine’s economy running and lay the foundations for recovery and future growth.

Relentless Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continue to cause great suffering to Ukrainians. In my first exchange with Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal, I reaffirmed Dutch support. We stand with Ukraine and will help sustain their energy system for as long as it takes.

Ik sprak vandaag met de @DutchRelief Alliance, @AzG_nl, @UNICEFNL en @RodeKruis over de humanitaire situatie in Gaza. Nederland is bezorgd over de Israëlische herregistratieplicht voor internationale ngo’s. 1/2

A bleak milestone: Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its 5th year. Russian bombs have left millions of Ukrainians without electricity. Our support remains urgently needed. The Netherlands will not abandon its friends. We stand firmly with Ukraine.

Een sombere mijlpaal: de grootschalige Russische invasie van Oekraïne gaat het vijfde jaar in. Steden liggen in puin en Oekraïners zitten massaal zonder elektriciteit. Onze steun blijft van levensbelang. Daar ga ik mij voor inzetten. We laten onze vrienden niet in de kou staan.

Internationale samenwerking is cruciaal voor Nederland. Zeker in deze onrustige wereld. Met @ministerbz.bsky.social en de collega’s van @minbz.bsky.social wil ik mij inzetten voor een sterk handelsbeleid en investeren in ontwikkelingssamenwerking.

They have officially started! Today, we welcomed our new ministers Tom Berendsen and Sjoerd Sjoerdsma to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We look forward to working with them. 📸 RVD

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen and Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Sjoerd Sjoerdsma have been sworn in as members of the government led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten. We welcome them at our ministry! www.government.nl/latest/news/...

Starting today, you can follow Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma via this account. All previous messages have been archived.

Vanaf vandaag volg je via dit kanaal het werk van de minister van Buitenlandse Handel en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking Sjoerd Sjoerdsma. Alle eerdere berichten zijn gearchiveerd.