Dutch manufacturers grapple with trade policy fears in 2025
Dutch manufacturers are facing growing concerns over international trade policies, according to a new study. The Netherlands relies heavily on exports, with three-quarters of its manufacturing value coming from goods sold abroad. Researchers examined how businesses are coping with global economic shifts in 2025.
The analysis focused on five major trade partners: Germany, Belgium, France, China, and the United States. Using data from the Business Cycle Survey (COEN) and International Trade in Goods Statistics (IHG), experts tracked how firms with different export profiles reacted to recent changes.
In May 2025, a striking 95% of Dutch exporting manufacturers reported worries about trade policy. Import tariffs emerged as the top concern for many. However, companies trading within the EU were more troubled by non-tariff measures and sustainability rules than by tariffs alone.
The Netherlands remains especially exposed to risks like supply chain disruptions, shifting foreign demand, and rising raw material costs. Despite these pressures, the study did not pinpoint specific non-tariff barriers or sustainability demands as the most frequent hurdles for EU-bound exports in 2025.
The findings highlight the fragility of Dutch manufacturing in an unstable global market. With nearly all surveyed firms uneasy about trade policies, businesses must now navigate tariffs, sustainability rules, and supply chain challenges. The country's export-driven economy leaves it particularly sensitive to further disruptions.
