Jetten, Dutch Royal Family on joint U.S. visit featuring Trump dinner and state meetings

Prime Minister Rob Jetten is scheduled to meet with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday during his visit to Washington, D.C., according to a press release from the Government Information Service (RVD). Pompeo served as Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021 under President Donald Trump.

Defense minister Dilan Yeşilgöz has said the timing of Jetten’s visit to the U.S. president is “awkward,” when asked about it. The comments come after Trump reportedly threatened last week to destroy Iranian civilisation unless Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Yeşilgöz described it as “very valuable” that Prime Minister Rob Jetten is meeting the U.S. president alongside King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. She said the royal couple helps “open many doors that would otherwise remain closed.” Trump reportedly invited the King and Queen to stay overnight at the White House, following his own stay at Huis ten Bosch during last year’s NATO summit.

Jetten is also scheduled to meet Republican and Democratic senators involved in a transatlantic relations working group. In addition, he will attend the Bilderberg Conference, which is taking place in Washington, D.C., this year.

Jetten is set to end his visit with a dinner involving President Donald Trump, alongside King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The meeting carries political weight, given Trump’s recent comments in which he repeatedly suggested the United States could leave NATO.

Before becoming prime minister, Jetten previously described Trump as a “misogynist” following his election win and accused him of “openly flirting with dictators.”

Speaking to RTL News, Jetten said his upcoming meeting with Trump will be “a very challenging discussion,” noting that there is a wide range of issues on the table. He said NATO is currently “under considerable pressure,” but stressed that it remains essential for Dutch security. According to Jetten, this makes it necessary to “work together to find a way forward.”

The king and queen will stop in Philadelphia, Washington, and Miami during their stay in the U.S from Monday to Wednesday. They will be received by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on Monday before visiting Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The reason for the trip is the 250th anniversary of American independence.

On the second day, they will spend the night in the White House after the dinner with Jetten and Trump, before visiting Miami, Florida, where they will mainly speak to Caribbean students as well as have a meeting with state and local officials, including figures such as Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd.