Arizona Tribune - Dutch FM says supports "as free as possible" international trade

The US and China drastically rolled back sweeping tariffs on each other's goods for 90 days in May after talks in Geneva, marking a temporary de-escalation in a brutal trade war that roiled global markets.

Veldkamp, who was on his first official visit to China since taking office, said he discussed the tariffs with Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"The topics of the day were discussed...(including) international trade and tariffs and the agreement to which the US and China have come to in Geneva recently and the 90 days pause, and the developments in that regard," Veldkamp told reporters at the Dutch embassy in Beijing.

"For the Netherlands, of course, it will always remain on our agenda to have an international trade that is as free as possible," he said, adding that the country will "stand" with the EU on matters such as tariffs.

Earlier on in the day, Veldkamp told Wang that the Netherlands and the EU want to work with China "on the global challenges that we're facing together".

"For the Netherlands, the relationship with China is one of the most consequential ones that we have," he said.

Wang told Veldkamp that Beijing "highly values" its relations with the Netherlands and that the country remains China's second-largest trading partner in the EU.

On trade, Wang said that "current manifestations of unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonic bullying are seriously impacting the international trade system", in a veiled reference to the United States.

The Netherlands in January announced a tightening of export controls on advanced semiconductor production equipment -- a move that Beijing expressed "high concern" about, calling on the Dutch to "respect market principles".

Veldkamp on Thursday said that while China "always" asks for an easing on semiconductor export controls, it was in the Dutch's interest "to look specifically at national security concerns".

He added that the topic of semiconductors will likely be on the agenda when Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Reinette Klever visits Beijing next month.

P.A.Mendoza--AT