De luchtvaart verandert snel. Elektrisch. Op waterstof. Schoner en slimmer. Spanje heeft de volledige keten voor het bouwen van vliegtuigen. Nederland heeft unieke kennis én kunde. Vandaag bezochten we @airbus.com in Madrid om kansen voor onze Nederlandse bedrijven concreet te maken.

Het bereikte akkoord tussen de Raad, Commissie en het EP is een belangrijke stap in de uitvoering van de EU-VS tariefafspraken. De afspraken zorgen voor een stabielere en voorspelbare handelsrelatie met de VS en bieden meer zekerheid voor Nederlandse bedrijven en consumenten.

On trade mission in Madrid with 31 companies, focusing on aerospace, defence and maritime. A great opportunity to strengthen 🇳🇱🇪🇸 cooperation. Starting with a visit to @navantiaoficial.bsky.social, one of Europe’s largest shipbuilders and a key player in EU defence programmes.

Op handelsmissie in Madrid met 31 bedrijven, gericht op lucht- en ruimtevaart, defensie en maritiem. Een mooie kans om 🇳🇱🇪🇸 samenwerking te versterken. Ik start met een bezoek aan @navantiaoficial.bsky.social, één van Europa’s grootste scheepsbouwers en een sleutelspeler in EU defensieprogramma’s.

Vandaag in Brussel voor mijn eerste RBZ- Ontwikkelingssamenwerking 🇪🇺. Goed om met Europese collega’s te spreken over actualiteiten, zoals de gevolgen van de blokkade van de Straat van Hormuz voor ontwikkelingslanden. Belangrijk dat de EU snel en gecoördineerd optreedt.

Equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people everywhere. This is a key priority for the Netherlands. On this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, @ministerbz.bsky.social and I are spreading the word. We stand firmly with the LGBTIQ+ community at home and abroad 🏳️‍🌈⤵️

NL and India are choosing a strategic partnership as an instrument for cooperation, security and prosperity. With PM Rob Jetten and PM Narendra Modi I spoke with leading Dutch companies in sectors such as high tech and logistics about projects that strengthen our economic relationship.

Al meer dan 80 jaar zorgt Europese samenwerking voor veiligheid, welvaart en vrede. Nederland handelt nog steeds het meest met andere EU-landen en de EU is wereldwijd de grootste donor van ontwikkelingssamenwerking. We hebben de EU nodig: samen staan we sterker in de wereld.

Vandaag op de grens bij Rafah. Levensreddende hulp komt hier de grens niet over, waardoor mensen in Gaza verstoken blijven van o.a. voedsel. Israël is verplicht ongehinderde humanitaire hulp toe te staan en te faciliteren. Nederland spreekt Israël hier consistent op aan. 1/2

Made a visit to a Child Friendly Space for Palestinians run by Save The Children for their work. Here, children and caregivers get support and, most importantly, can forget about the war for a moment. I heard heartbreaking stories from refugees and got to thank Save The Children for their work.

Trade and investment provide plenty of opportunities for strengthening our economic ties with Egypt. Had a valuable exchange with Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk on business opportunities that could be unlocked, as well as economic reforms and the impact of regional conflicts.

Today I visited the Egyptian Red Crescent which coordinates delivery of crucial aid to Gaza and Sudan.  I heard about the realities on the ground and the challenges. Behind every delivery is an immense operation. Yet they keep going. Our support is not optional, it’s necessary.

De komende dagen op handelsmissie in Egypte 🇪🇬 Dit land biedt veel handelskansen voor NL bedrijven, vooral in water en landbouw. Met deze missie brengen we onze ondernemers samen met het bedrijfsleven hier en spreek ik met Egyptische collega’s om kansen te benutten.

Met een waarden gedreven en realistisch buitenlandbeleid zorgen we dat Nederland en Europa veilig, welvarend en vrij blijven in een onzekere wereld. Daarom zullen we handel en ontwikkelingssamenwerking meer dan ooit tevoren strategisch inzetten.

De ruim 1,6 miljoen mkb-bedrijven in Nederland leveren een onmisbare bijdrage aan onze economie en toekomstig verdienvermogen. Met @mkbnl.bsky.social sprak ik over betere aansluiting van beleid op het mkb en ondersteuning bij internationaal zakendoen.

Duitsland is een sleutelpartner voor NL, ook in de EU. Gesproken met mijn 🇩🇪 collega Reem Alabali-Radovan hoe we nauwer kunnen samenwerken aan sterkere relaties tussen Europa en het mondiale Zuiden, bijvoorbeeld om de impact van de oorlog in het Midden-Oosten te adresseren.

The World Bank helps businesses invest and create jobs in developing countries. With Makhtar Diop, I discussed how to scale that impact in fragile contexts, strengthening resilience and supply chains, with Dutch partners contributing expertise and financing.

At the WorldBank #SpringMeetings to work with partners on growth, stability and jobs, where it matters most. In a turbulent world, the poorest countries are hit hardest. Addressing that is a central focus of my visit.

Today marks 3 years of war in Sudan - the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. NL will continue to support people in Sudan through humanitarian aid and diplomacy. IHL must be respected. Civilians, humanitarian workers, and critical infrastructure are not targets. #3YearsTooLong

Today we signed a Letter of Understanding between the Netherlands and Pennsylvania, setting out our intention to continue working together on trade and collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, hightech and Life Sciences & Health. 1/2

Staalproductie is van grote strategische en economische waarde voor Nederland en voor Europa. Tata Steel Nederland draagt daar als grote staalproducent aan bij, met groene ambities. Vandaag kennisgemaakt en gesproken over hun uitdagingen op de internationale staalmarkt.

Maatschappelijke organisaties zijn onze ogen en oren op plekken waar als ministerie niet altijd kunnen zijn. Daarmee zijn ze onmisbaar voor ons werk. Vandaag met 60 partnerorganisaties en brancheorganisatie Partos gesproken over hun werk en het verder versterken van onze samenwerking.

Gesproken met min Liminski van Noordrijn-Westfalen. Duitsland is de grootste handelspartner en de samenwerking met NRW is cruciaal voor NL op het gebied van handel, energie, waterstof, de Einstein Telescope en infrastructuur. Onze samenwerking is cruciaal in deze veranderende geo-economische tijden.

Wat onze technologische maakindustrie realiseert, levert Nederland miljarden op. Maar de wereld verandert snel en dwingt ons te schakelen om voorop te blijven. Goed om met voorzitter van FME Theo Henrar te spreken over hoe we elkaar daarin kunnen ondersteunen

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.