Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Very expensive: Apple quietly raises prices of older iPhone models by 100 to 350 euros
Apple has unexpectedly raised the prices of its older iPhone models by 100 to 350 euros following the release of its latest devices. The increases, which affect even budget-friendly options, are attri...
US investigates controversial multi-billion dollar deal between NVIDIA and AI company Groq
U.S. regulators are investigating a controversial multi-billion dollar licensing agreement between NVIDIA and AI firm Groq over potential antitrust concerns. Lawmakers fear the deal, which saw Groq ex...
Cabinet wants more green gas, but Parliament is concerned about the costs
The Dutch government is proposing a mandatory green gas blending requirement to reduce CO2 emissions, aiming to double production by 2031. While the industry supports the move, Parliament is concerned...
ProRail expects more than 520 malfunctions again this year
ProRail anticipates over 520 rail malfunctions this year, driven by higher train density and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. A projected 3.1 billion euro budget shortfall through 2040 is...
Massive layoff wave at Amsterdam municipality: 2500 full-time jobs at risk, internal document reveals
The Amsterdam municipality plans to cut 2,500 full-time jobs by 2030 as part of a 300 million euro reorganization effort. Internal documents outline significant staffing reductions across numerous dep...
Basic-Fit buys clubs in Germany and Austria for 26 million
Basic-Fit has acquired 26 fitness clubs across Austria and Germany for 26 million euros. The company plans to rebrand these locations to match its existing club model and strengthen its market presenc...
Devastating clear-cutting in Malaysia, but RWE and NEA call biomass ‘sustainable’
Energy giant RWE faces criticism for sourcing biomass from Malaysian forests where clearing has caused severe environmental and social disruption. Although the Dutch Emissions Authority identified iss...
Minister questions two years of continued wage payment during illness
Dutch Minister Aartsen is considering limiting mandatory wage payments during sickness to six months to incentivize faster returns to the labor market and reduce costs for employers. While the proposa...
Manufacturing shows best growth figures in four years
Dutch industrial production surged by 9 percent in July compared to the previous year, marking the sector's strongest growth in four years. This record-high output is driven by increased foreign deman...
Dutch manufacturing growth hits four-year high in July
Dutch industrial production reached an all-time high in July, recording a 1.6 percent increase from the previous month. The growth was driven largely by strong foreign demand, particularly from the Ge...
Italy overtakes US as destination for Dutch exports
Dutch exports to the United States dropped by 25 percent in the first half of 2026, largely due to new US import tariffs and supply chain constraints. As a result, Italy has overtaken the United State...
Here it is: Apple's foldable iPhone, but how innovative is this device?
Apple has officially launched the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, which will be available on October 23 with a starting price of 2,339 euros. Alongside this new device, the company announce...
Gas price above 1.70 euros: heating becomes extremely expensive
Gas prices for new energy contracts in the Netherlands have surpassed 1.70 euros per cubic meter, marking a significant increase since the start of the year. Rising global demand and market volatility...
Apple to launch foldable phone that will be too expensive for most people
Apple is launching its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which supports the Apple Pencil and is priced between 2,339 and 3,839 euros. The company also introduced the iPhone 18 Pro series, featurin...
ASML pumps another 400 million euros into European AI hopes
ASML has invested an additional 400 million euros into the French AI company Mistral. This investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe's competitive position within the technology sect...
Trump's aggressive trade policy drives Canada into the arms of the EU
In response to a deteriorating trade relationship with the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is pursuing closer strategic ties with the European Union. Although full Canadian membersh...
Odido CEO 'very happy' company did not pay ransom to hackers after data breach
Odido CEO Soren Abildgaard stated he is satisfied with the decision not to pay a ransom to hackers who stole the personal data of 6.2 million customers. Although the refusal led the group ShinyHunters...
Europe breaks free from Russia, but clean energy lags behind
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU introduced the RepowerEU plan to reduce fossil fuel dependence and boost sustainable energy projects. While direct imports have dropped, the European Cou...
Brussels targets rental platforms like Airbnb to tackle housing shortages
The European Commission is proposing new legislation to grant city mayors greater authority to regulate short-term rental platforms like Airbnb to combat housing shortages. The plan aims to provide lo...
Gen Z must work more, says VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans: We won't make it on three days
VVD parliamentary leader Ruben Brekelmans has urged a return to the five-day workweek, arguing that the Netherlands cannot function effectively if Gen Z professionals only work three or four days. Fur...
Brekelmans wants FNV at the table but snipes: 'They had to go on vacation for weeks'
VVD politician Brekelmans has publicly criticized the FNV trade union for opposing labor reforms and advocating for a 32-hour workweek. He argues that such policies hinder national economic goals and ...
Jumbo breaks with holy principle of founder Karel van Eerd: ‘Times have changed’
Jumbo CEO Jesper Højer has reported a revenue increase to 6 billion euros for the first half of the year. To improve the supermarket chain's performance, Højer has moved away from a core principle e...
Brussels allows unlimited short-term rentals, unlike Dutch municipalities
The European Commission has proposed new legislation allowing cities to restrict commercial short-term rentals while protecting the right of residents to rent out their primary homes. This creates a p...
Strikers at Garage West: "I normally want to work, but we must oppose the demolition"
Public transport employees across the Netherlands held a nationwide strike today to protest proposed government changes to social security benefits. Workers gathered at the GVB Garage West in Amsterda...
Brussels proposes new plan to encourage governments to purchase within EU
Brussels has proposed new rules for public procurement to encourage EU governments to prioritize quality and sustainability over the lowest price. The initiative aims to boost regional competitiveness...
Amsterdam invests €900,000 in the textile makers of the future
Starting in 2027, the city of Amsterdam will invest €900,000 in a new facility called TextielHub located on Donauweg. This center is designed to support textile makers in developing sustainable and ...
Bridge strike causes cycling exodus across Schellingwouderbrug: "Commute takes twice as long"
Ferry services in Amsterdam have been suspended due to a strike against proposed government cuts to social security benefits. The disruption has forced a large number of cyclists to take longer routes...
UWV does not rule out that errors have crept into many more WIA files
The Dutch UWV is expanding its review of WIA disability files from 47,000 to 73,000 after realizing initial selection criteria were too narrow. The agency will begin a multi-year recovery operation in...
Rising oil price sends European gas prices through the roof: highest in years
Escalating geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has pushed Brent crude oil prices to their highest levels since July, causing a ripple effect throughout global energy markets. This surge has trigg...
Major Dutch bridges in worrying condition due to deferred maintenance
Major bridges across the Netherlands are experiencing safety risks due to deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure that has reached its technical limit. Experts and officials warn that a massive ...