In this crossover episode of geopolitics, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and PM Rob Jetten dined with President Trump and the First Lady at the White House on Monday night.
For those wondering: Is it suitable dining etiquette to talk politics? The answer is Jetten didn’t care.
Despite the dinner being billed as a private affair, somewhere between the entrée and nightcap, Jetten made sure that Iran and Ukraine were very much on the table.
“It was a useful evening,” Jetten told reporters at RTL Nieuws, describing the exchange as “open and constructive.”
Yes, politics was on the menu
Jetten had intended to raise several thorny issues: the wars in Iran and Ukraine, along with US plans to impose further export restrictions on Dutch chipmaker ASML.
As reported by RTL’s American correspondent, Erik Mouthaan, Jetten reiterated that the Netherlands is willing to cooperate on reopening the Strait of Hormuz — but only once the bombings stop.
What was actually said? Perhaps we will never know, as access for media personnel was tightly restricted.
According to Mouthaan, the royal couple wanted to avoid appearing alongside Trump in case he said anything unhinged.
Ignorance isn’t bliss
Jetten acknowledged the discomfort many Dutch people felt about the visit.
“I fully understand the unease that many Dutch people feel about this visit and everything that’s going on,” he said. “But if you stay away, you can’t exchange views on these topics. So in that sense, I think we did what we came here to do.”
Deputy Prime Minister Yeşilgöz had herself called the timing of the dinner “awkward” only days before.
While Jetten packed his bags, the royal couple proceeded to spend the night at the White House.
The infamous “sleepover” is a reciprocal arrangement after Trump and Melania stayed at Huis ten Bosch during their last visit to The Hague.
The King’s speech
Before dinnertime, King Willem-Alexander addressed a networking reception called “Holland on the Hill” in Washington. Of course, his speech was measured and diplomatic.
Notably, he said: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are best served by cooperation between reliable partners.”
Referring to the Netherlands and the US, he added: “Partners like these are worth their weight in gold, particularly in an unpredictable world.”
The (liberal) King also invoked NATO, specifying that friends are allowed to disagree with one another respectfully.
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