US-China trade war would be bad for Netherlands, Dutch FM says

The Dutch government hopes that the United States and China manage to avert a trade war. Nobody has an interest in a trade war and free trade is crucial for the Netherlands, Minister Stef Blok of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, NOS reports.

A trade war between the two giants seem increasingly likely. The US is threatening to raise import tariffs on goods from China to 25 percent, according to the broadcaster. According to American president Donald Trump, China is not keeping its promises.

The two countries are still negotiating and Blok sincerely hopes they will find a way out of their current conflict. "China and the United States are both important trade partners for the Netherlands; the Netherlands is a trading country and has an interest in good agreements."