250 Years of Partnership: Dutch Royal Couple Visits the United States

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The timing is no coincidence. As Americans celebrate 250 years of independence, the visit is a fitting moment to highlight the deep historical and cultural ties between our two countries. Ties that have long benefited both our nations and continue to do so today.

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On which issues do the Netherlands and the U.S. cooperate?

'The Netherlands and the United States have been close partners for centuries. Many Americans know the history of New Amsterdam - what is now New York City. More than three and a half million Americans have Dutch roots. Some of them serve in Congress, including Huizenga, Scholten, Newhouse, and Feenstra. They are part of the so-called Dutch Caucus, which is a valuable point of entry for us as an embassy.

The Netherlands and the U.S. work together across many areas. Take defense: the Netherlands purchases military equipment from the United States: from F-35 fighter jets and tanks to Patriot missiles. A notable milestone was the joint symbolic launch of a Tomahawk missile by the Royal Netherlands Navy and U.S. armed forces in March 2025, officially marking the purchase of a series of this type of missile.

We also work closely together on the economic front, in high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, bioscience, clean tech, and aerospace. Economically, we are deeply intertwined: trade and investment support more than 1 million American and 250,000 Dutch jobs. Well-known Dutch companies like ASML, Ahold, Arcadis, NXP, Philips, Heineken, Aegon, and AkzoNobel play a significant role in this.

We also collaborate intensively on the energy transition. By aligning technology and policy, we strengthen each other's capacity for innovation and accelerate the shift to sustainable energy. And in cybersecurity, we share knowledge and expertise to jointly address digital threats.'

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How strong is the relationship between the Netherlands and the U.S.?

'The relationship between the Netherlands and the United States is remarkably resilient. It is actually America's oldest diplomatic relationship: we have been working together for more than 400 years, spanning security, economics, and technology.

These deep roots go back to the very birth of the United States. In 1776, the Dutch island of St. Eustatius offered the ‘First Salute’ to an American vessel, in effect recognizing the new nation. A few years later, John Adams secured Dutch recognition of American independence, negotiated crucial loans, and helped conclude the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. His work in the Netherlands laid an important foundation for the enduring partnership we see today.

Of course, there are occasional disagreements over trade measures or regulations, for instance. But that is precisely when the robustness of our relationship shows. There is always room for a meaningful conversation, helped along by the diverse perspectives within American society. Things are rarely black and white; in the gray areas, we usually find common ground.

Our economic interconnectedness is impressive: we are among each other's top investors and together create hundreds of thousands of jobs. That cooperation extends well beyond the federal government. It is through states, cities, businesses, and universities that we strengthen our relationship every day.

In short, our transatlantic bond is deeply rooted and forward-looking. By working together broadly and flexibly, we continue to find each other - even in times of change.'

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What do you hope to achieve?

‘Keeping the transatlantic relationship strong is my top priority. Within that, I focus mainly on the major geopolitical issues of our time: Ukraine, Russia, and China. And throughout all of it, economic diplomacy remains an absolute priority.’