So as we know, it’s 4th July – America’s Independence day (happy 4th July friends!), so we thought it was time to spread some positivity. After our last article on the great Trump – Rutte meeting, it’s time to look at a few things that bring the Netherlands and the US together.
1. The Netherlands helped the US get on their feet
Aaaaalll those years ago, in 1782, the Dutch gave the very young America 5 million guilders as a loan, to help the country grow. Thankfully the Dutch weren’t scam artists with a dodgy loan and the US ended up benefiting immensely. Rutte actually gave a copy of the old agreement letters, in a frame as a gift when he met Trump.
? To symbolize the longstanding relationship between the Netherlands & the United States, @MinPres Rutte gave President Trump a copy of a letter from Dutch bankers in 1782 to #JohnAdams, confirming a loan of 5 million guilders to help a young America: https://t.co/sZkNSZybOi pic.twitter.com/061T6FAWIh
— Netherlands Embassy ?? (@NLintheUSA) 2 juli 2018
Here’s what they imagine the awkward meeting was like (yet not quite as awkward as the Trump-Rutte one 😉 ):
Of course, now they’re both reaping the benefits – with both economies looking good and jobs being provided on both sides (remember the whole 825,000 American jobs rant by Rutte? 😉 )
2. The Netherlands and the US are working together on security
For centuries and centuries, the Dutch and the American’s have worked together to make countries safer. This happened again this month when they signed a treaty agreeing to strengthen their cooperations regarding military operations. They share the same values, so hey, that’s not a bad thing, it’s relations-building after all.
Ambassador @HenneSchuwer and @usambnl Pete Hoekstra signed a #defense treaty today to affirm and strengthen the longstanding ties between the United States and the Netherlands: https://t.co/tnu8vjc00O pic.twitter.com/aw18cXnlRL
— Netherlands Embassy ?? (@NLintheUSA) 2 juli 2018
3. Dutch sailors in New York, got an amazing welcome at Times Square
I’m not sure if you’ve seen the pictures properly yet, but we’ll drop one here. Dutch marines were dropping into New York, on their way back home (they’ve spent the past 3 months in the Caribbean) and they were welcomed by a full-house in Times Square yesterday. People were welcoming the Marines as heroes, clapping, cheering and taking videos and photos.
Bemanning @Zr_Ms_Holland in de straten van #NewYorkCity. Wat een belevenis! #TeamHolland kijkt haar ogen uit en trekt zelf ook veel bekijks! pic.twitter.com/15JfcSzWjB
— Koninklijke Marine (@kon_marine) 2 juli 2018
As you can see, the pictures of the welcome are amazing and it shows the country’s great relationship (aww – no seriously, aww).
See, so despite the awkwardness of the Rutte-Trump meeting, as long as Trump can forgive Rutte for butting in with his famous ‘NO’ and Rutte can forgive the arm-grabbing, there is still plenty to be happy about when it comes to American-Dutch relations. Happy 4th of July America!
What are other great positives about American and Dutch relations? Let us know in the comments!
Source featured picture: Twitter/@kon_marine
