Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
US states sue over new Trump tariffs
A group of 24 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's recently imposed 10% import tariffs. The states argue that the president is acting unlawfully by ignoring a previous ruli...
Lower revenue for auto industry in 2025, but more electric cars sold
The automotive and motorcycle industry saw a 2.6 percent decrease in revenue in 2025 compared to the previous year, with importers and heavy vehicle sectors experiencing the most significant declines....
Solutions for housing shortage and strengthening neighborhoods in Beverwijk and Heemskerk: New performance agreements between municipalities and housing corporations
The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk have established new performance agreements with housing corporations and tenant organizations for the 2026–2029 period. These agreements prioritize add...
Ministry forbids municipalities from restricting steel slag themselves
The Dutch government has prohibited municipalities from implementing their own bans on the use of steel slag, requiring local restrictions to be reversed by the end of the year. Local officials have e...
Vijlbrief: Emotion over breaking pension agreement underestimated
Minister Hans Vijlbrief admitted that the Dutch cabinet underestimated the emotional response to breaking an agreement within the national pension accord. Speaking on the talk show 'Pauw & De Wit,' he...
Support for defense billions also met with criticism: 'Actually meant for state pensions'
Most political parties in the Dutch House of Representatives support the allocation of billions of additional euros to Defense, though concerns remain regarding the funding source and how the money wi...
Veggie burgers can keep their name, but vegetarian chicken and steak will soon be banned
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to restrict the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products. While terms like "veggie burger" and "tofu sausage" will remain ...
Experts surprised by cabinet response to US VAT software: ‘Distraction’
Experts are criticizing the Dutch government's decision to hire an American software company to manage VAT collection, calling the official justifications a diversionary maneuver. While State Secretar...
Build, build, build: Hundreds of new homes per year in Velsen
The municipality of Velsen has prioritized housing and livability in its 2022-2026 council program. Since 2022, 530 new homes have been completed, with an additional 1,250 units planned for the coming...
15,000 cruise passengers and 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf
Approximately 15,000 cruise passengers and 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The United Nations' International Maritime Organi...
Druzhba oil pipeline may be out of service for another six weeks
The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukraine, is expected to remain out of service for four to six weeks following damage. Ukrainian President Volodym...
Is it wise to look to Groningen again in the gas crisis? This is what the gas expert says
Following a 67 percent increase in gas prices due to Middle East unrest, the Dutch House of Representatives is considering resuming gas drilling in Groningen. Expert Martien Visser addresses key quest...
Enexis significantly expands power grid, but electricity demand grows even faster
Grid operator Enexis invested a record 1.9 billion euros in the electricity grid last year to support the energy transition. Despite this investment, the grid remains congested in many areas as demand...
Coen van Oostrom succeeds Ingrid Thijssen as chair of employers' organization VNO-NCW
Coen van Oostrom has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch employers' organization VNO-NCW. He succeeds Ingrid Thijssen, who served in the role for nearly six years before becoming the chair...
Travelers pay top price: direct flights to Far East nearly unaffordable
Direct flight prices to Far East destinations like Bangkok and Singapore have skyrocketed, with tickets often costing between 2,000 and 3,000 euros. This price surge is attributed to reduced capacity ...
NS passengers faced an unprecedented number of disruptions last year
NS CEO Wouter Koolmees acknowledged in the annual report that train passengers faced an unprecedented number of unexpected disruptions over the past year. Additionally, the report noted that trains we...
NS records profit from passenger transport for first time since 2019
Dutch Railways (NS) recorded a profit from passenger transport in 2023 for the first time since 2019. The financial recovery was driven by higher ticket and subscription prices, a slight increase in p...
Discover how to reuse items
Starting March 19, 2026, Haarlem will participate in the Week of the Circular Economy with various sustainability activities such as workshops and a clothing swap. The event aims to inspire residents ...
Female judges discriminated against by lower salaries
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights ruled that female judges in training were previously discriminated against by receiving lower salaries than their male counterparts. The institute declared t...
Council of State gives green light for construction at De Hangkous site in Hillegom: 'No parking nuisance feared'
The Dutch Council of State has approved the construction of an apartment complex at the former site of the De Hangkous restaurant in Hillegom. The ruling clears the way for the project after concludin...
Possible conflict of interest in investigation into Muslim discrimination
An investigation by the newspaper Trouw suggests a possible conflict of interest in recent research focused on the discrimination and exclusion of Muslim youth. The findings raise concerns about the o...
Groninger Bodem Beweging: reopening Groningen gas field is not an option
The Groninger Bodem Beweging (GBB) has rejected a proposal by the political party JA21 to maintain the Groningen gas field as a strategic reserve. The group argues that reopening the field for extract...
Companies eye 178 billion mega-pot for defense contracts, but one hurdle remains
The Dutch government's plan to invest 178 billion euros in defense has triggered a surge in interest from companies seeking military contracts. Economists from Rabobank predict that revenue for these ...
Terraces fill up again: what about the prices this year?
As sunny weather returns, terraces across the Netherlands are filling up with customers enjoying outdoor dining and drinks. The article highlights the seasonal shift while raising questions about how ...
Jewelers more cautious as gold prices hit record highs: 'You get much less jewelry for your money'
Record-high gold prices are driving individuals to sell their old jewelry in large quantities while making new purchases less attractive for consumers. Jewelers and goldsmiths are becoming more cautio...
ACM intensifies oversight of energy market due to rising gas prices
The Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is intensifying its oversight of the energy market in response to rising gas prices caused by instability in the Middle East. The regulator i...
Growing calls in Dutch Parliament not to permanently close Groningen gas fields
Support is growing in the Dutch House of Representatives to keep the Groningen gas fields open as a strategic emergency reserve rather than closing them permanently. This proposal, supported by partie...
Number of cancelled flights to Middle East continues to rise
Ongoing tensions in the Middle East are causing a significant increase in the number of cancelled flights to the region. This disruption is resulting in major travel issues for passengers as air traff...
Eerdmans wants to enshrine 'gas emergency button' in law
JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans proposes legally designating the Groningen gas field as a strategic reserve to allow drilling during emergency situations. He argues that rising energy prices necessitate ke...
South Holland requests power grid capacity for a quarter million homes
The province of South Holland has requested electricity grid capacity for approximately 250,000 new homes planned for construction through 2032. This collective application was submitted to grid opera...