Dutch lawmakers uneasy over Jetten and royals’ White House dinner with Trump
Dutch political unease is mounting over a planned closed-door dinner at the White House involving King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten, as lawmakers question engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump following his recent threats and shifting stance on NATO and international security, NU.nl reports.
The visit, scheduled for next Monday, will see Jetten join the royal couple for a private dinner in Washington. There is no joint press conference planned, as the meeting is not classified as an official political summit.
Inside the Tweede Kamer, however, discomfort is growing over whether the Netherlands should participate at all. CDA leader Henri Bontenbal said canceling the visit would be unwise but acknowledged unease. "I think it is not wise to cancel that appointment now," he said. "But I also immediately admit that I feel discomfort about it." He said that discomfort stems from U.S. behavior under Trump, particularly regarding international law.
"There are threats to bomb the whole situation in Iran to the ground, including civilian infrastructure," Bontenbal said. "That not only clashes with international law but also simply goes against the laws of war." He added that Trump’s rhetoric is unprecedented in its severity. "That is, of course, just dangerous language."
Bontenbal said geopolitics remains difficult because not all leaders adhere to shared norms. "How do you deal with leaders who do not think and act the way we would want? This is, of course, a long-standing debate. But the choice to ignore everyone who thinks differently is unwise."
Socialist Party lawmaker Sarah Dobbe also criticized the visit and the symbolic weight of the royal participation. "Trump has started an illegal war, threatens NATO allies, and threatens to destroy a civilization," she said. She argued that diplomatic engagement should continue but objected to the level of honor being shown. "You should always remain in dialogue with each other, but showing so much honor by letting our royal couple stay overnight sends the wrong signal."
JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans also said the visit is uncomfortable but warned against cancellation. "If you cut ties, you are even further from home," he said. He described the meeting as an opportunity to appeal to Trump’s sense of reason. "Or the unreasonableness," he added.
Eerdmans said long-standing relations between the United States and the Netherlands should be resilient. "Especially in difficult times, you should strengthen cooperation."
He added that a successful reception could improve future communication. "If Jetten is received hospitably by Trump, it becomes easier in the future to just pick up the phone when you need him. That is how simple it works."
A central concern in the debate is continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Lawmakers warned that any deterioration in relations could have direct consequences for European security.
Bontenbal said that risk must be weighed carefully. "If a hard confrontation with Trump in the White House leads to less American support for Ukraine, then Europe also becomes less safe," he said. "That must also be taken into account in your ethical and moral consideration."
Dobbe rejected the idea that dependence on the United States should dictate political behavior. "Endlessly thanking and going along on a leash is not in the interest of the Netherlands or Europe," she said. "As Europe, we are also stronger than Russia. In addition, you should reduce your military dependence on the United States instead of increasing it as this cabinet is doing."
