Economy

The Netherlands drew more of its oil and gas from the United States in 2025, with nearly a quarter of its supplies coming from there. The shift follows a steep drop in Russian imports after the invasion of Ukraine. CBS figures show that both the Netherlands and the EU have turned to countries such as Norway and the US to secure their energy needs.

President Donald Trump has threatened to immediately impose a 100% import tariff on all goods from any European nation that implements a digital services tax targeting American tech giants. In response, the European Commission defended its member states' sovereign right to regulate their own economic activities and vowed to act quickly and forcefully against any potential U.S. levies.

The Amsterdam stock exchange opened lower on Friday as the benchmark AEX index fell 0.5% to 1,062.05 points, tracking a sharp tech-led sell-off in Asia fueled by surging memory chip prices. Global tech sentiment soured following news that heavy AI infrastructure investments are squeezing chip supply, forcing giants like Apple and Microsoft to hike product prices, while reports emerged that OpenAI may delay its stock market flotation until next year. On the local bourse, chip equipment maker Besi led the decliners with a 3.2% drop, contrasting with telecom firm KPN, which gained 1.3% on an analyst upgrade, while broader European markets dipped alongside falling oil prices as geopolitical anxieties in the Strait of Hormuz began to ease.

Drugstore employees at Etos, Kruidvat, and Holland & Barrett will strike again on Saturday, FNV says. The union is protesting proposed cuts to Sunday pay and stalled collective labor agreement talks.

The Supreme Court has ruled that taxpayers who failed to object to the Box 3 levy on time will not receive compensation, despite the tax later being declared unlawful. The decision affects more than a million people hoping for a refund.

Dutch consumer confidence has improved for the first time in months, rising from deep lows. CBS reports that consumers feel less negative about the economy and their willingness to buy, although confidence remains far below long‑term norms. Falling oil prices and easing inflation pressures may be helping sentiment recover.

The Netherlands has firmly rejected a proposed €1.9 trillion EU budget, with Prime Minister Rob Jetten warning that Europe cannot build a modern economy using a financial blueprint from the 1990s. Ahead of a deadlocked EU summit, Jetten insisted that the 2028–2034 budget must prioritise security and competitiveness over outdated agricultural subsidies, vowing not to rush into a deal that leaves Dutch taxpayers with an unacceptable bill.

Funda will introduce new paid packages for home sellers and roll out features that make browsing properties easier, while giving sellers more control over how their listings appear.