Economy

European stock markets ended lower on Thursday as uncertainty over Middle East peace talks pushed investors into risk‑off mode. The AEX fell 1.3 percent, while oil prices surged sharply again, with Brent crude climbing more than 6 percent.

The European Parliament has approved part of the EU‑US trade deal but added safeguards to ensure the United States honors its commitments. MEPs fear new US import tariffs and have introduced a “safety net” that allows EU concessions to be reversed if the US fails to comply.

Six vocational colleges in the southern Netherlands are offering 500 euro vouchers to help new engineering and technology students buy necessary laptops. The initiative is part of a wider national plan to train thousands of new professionals for the growing microchip industry. This financial support aims to remove barriers for students entering a sector with a high demand for skilled workers.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands have increased due to the Iran conflict. First‑time buyers, as well as buyers in major cities and the new‑build market, are particularly likely to feel the impact, according to ING Research.

Dutch privacy and consumer advocates are pushing back against a plan to give banks direct access to the national personal records database. While the government claims the move will streamline anti-money laundering efforts, critics warn of a "disproportionate" breach of data protection laws. The debate highlights the tension between financial security and individual privacy rights in the digital age.

Philips has maintained its position as the top Dutch applicant at the European Patent Office, leading the way in medical technology. The company filed over 1,200 patents in 2025, focusing heavily on AI-driven healthcare solutions and sustainable diagnostic imaging. These innovations are part of a broader goal to improve billions of lives globally by the end of the decade.

ASML employees in Veldhoven have protested against 1,700 planned job cuts worldwide. Despite record financial results, unions and staff remain concerned about how the reorganization will affect job security and product quality. The dispute continues as workers call for management to reconsider the scale of the layoffs and the use of external contractors.

The Dutch economy is expected to grow more slowly after the outbreak of the war in Iran, according to ABN AMRO. The bank has slightly lowered its growth forecasts and warns that inflation will rise more sharply. Despite this, economists say the Netherlands is well placed to absorb the shock.