Prime Minister Mark Rutte is visiting the US again to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss various things. This will be the second time he will be meeting with the president in the last year. They discussed the global economy the last time, but what are they going to talk about this time?
Two requests from the US to the Dutch Government
The US government has requested the Dutch government to send in Dutch frigates to the Strait of Hormuz, and Dutch troops to Northern Syria. According to NU.nl, Rutte said on Friday that though these are important topics, they are not on the agenda of this present meeting with the president. But it might be inevitable that they do discuss it. The government is yet to make a decision and release a statement about both these requests.
Dutch frigates to Strait of Hormuz
Tensions have been rising between Iran and the US as a result of the US leaving the nuclear treaty. Because of this, the Strait of Hormuz has become a dangerous territory for ships to pass through to reach the Persian Gulf between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This is hindering world trade as they are home to important oil and gas ports. According to RTLNieuws, the US wants to work on an “international coalition” to make sure the ships can pass through safely.
Dutch troops for Northern Syria
After Trump announced the withdrawal of US military troops last year, monitoring of the shaky stability of the region fell on the shoulders of the NATO allies. Therefore, America has requested The Netherlands for greater involvement and contribution for a military mission in Northern Syria to keep the fight against IS going (and shield the our Kurdish allies against our Turkish allies)
Need a lowdown of what happened the last time? Know Greg Shapiro? The guy who made the “The Netherlands Second” video that went viral? He has another one just for you!
What else could Rutte and Trump discuss?
They will for sure discuss the world trade, as they touched upon it the last time as well. The concerns that might be raised would be the import tariffs that Trump has imposed, and the Netherlands was not happy about this, to say the least.
They may even touch upon freedom of religion, as there is also a summit being organized by the US Department of Foreign Affairs. Miniter Blok of the Dutch Foreign Affairs, who is accompanying Rutte on this visit to the US, will be speaking at this summit and will later join the conversation with the prime minister and president.
Tonight I am travelling to the US, where I will be meeting with President @realDonaldTrump in Washington D.C. with @ministerBlok. Afterwards, minister Bruno Bruins @MinVWS and I will lead a trade mission in Boston, a great economic opportunity for Dutch businesses. #NLintheUSA
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) July 17, 2019
Rutte is also seeking possible American support for the backing of the nomination of former minister Dijsselbloem to lead the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
So do you think Rutte will say ‘no’ again to what Trump will say this time? What else do you think is on the agenda for the meeting? Let us know in the comments below!
Er werd niet voldaan aan onze vraag aan Fractievoorzitter (President) Mark Rutte in October 2006 (tot op heden die fundamentele ethiek wordt nog steeds niet door de regering erkend.)
The Hon. Eliot Spitzer
New York State Attorney General
State Capitol, 2nd Floor
Albany, N.Y. 12224-0341
USA
Dear Mr. Attorney General,
• We, the [majority] members of the Dutch Parliament (the States General of the Netherlands), would like to inform you of our special interest in helping with the restoration of Governors Island to its historical integrity and with the preservation of its historic message of tolerance.
• This precept of tolerance as the basis for cultural pluralism was rooted in the births of New York State in 1624 and the Dutch Republic in 1581. At the time, this unique conception was vital in the development of American and Western liberty as we know it today.
• The Dutch Parliament, on behalf of the people of the Netherlands, would like to signal its willingness to offer the people of New York State help with a meaningful visualization of the joint and several patrimony of New York State and the Netherlands. This envisaged iconic emblem would serve as enduring inspiration to humanity and could be inaugurated in September 2009 to coincide with the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Dutch East India Company ship Half Moon in New York harbor.
• We are aware that lawful acceptance of any gesture from the Dutch Parliament would be contingent upon approval of the Governor of New York State and the State Legislature on behalf of the people of New York.
Sincerely,