Thierry Baudet calls on Parliament to return to debate the EU-Trump trade deal

Thierry Baudet has requested that the House of Representatives return from recess to hold an emergency debate on the trade deal concluded between Ursula von der Leyen for the EU and President Trump. This deal, which includes 15% tariffs on Dutch exports to the US, and an obligation for Europe to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy, is disastrous for the Dutch economy and sovereignty.

The House must take action on this as soon as possible. FVD is counting on the support of all other political parties. 

See below for the letter sent by Baudet.

Dear Party Leaders,

On behalf of the Forum for Democracy party, I urgently call on you and your parties to support a request for an emergency debate in the House of Representatives, before the end of the current recess. The reason for this is the recent trade deal which Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, concluded with US President Donald Trump on July 27, 2025. This deal, which includes 15% tariffs on EU exports to the United States and an obligation for the EU to purchase $750 billion worth of American energy, poses a direct threat to the Dutch economy, sovereignty, and interests. Given the urgency of this matter, which cannot wait until after the recess, I ask you to submit this request jointly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The urgency of this emergency debate cannot be underestimated. The deal was concluded while the House of Representatives was in recess, without any prior consultation with national parliaments or a democratic mandate from the member states. With a deadline of August 1 for further implementation, the Netherlands is at risk of facing irreversible economic damage in the short term. If we do not take action now, the government will be forced to accept this agreement, leading to higher costs for Dutch citizens and businesses. This emergency debate is essential to hold the government accountable and discuss possible countermeasures before the deal is finally ratified and the damage is irreparable.

The disadvantages for the Netherlands are numerous and far-reaching. Firstly, the 15% tariffs on EU exports will deal a severe blow to our export-oriented economy. As one of the largest exporters within the EU, the Netherlands will suffer disproportionately from these barriers: sectors such as agriculture, chemicals, technology, and mechanical engineering—accounting for billions of euros in annual exports to the US—will see their competitive position seriously weakened. This will lead to job losses, higher prices for consumers, and a contraction of the Dutch economy, which is already under pressure from inflation and energy crises.

In addition, the deal forces the EU to make massive purchases of American energy, which makes the Netherlands dependent on foreign suppliers and undermines our energy independence. Instead of investing in our own energy sources, such as our own Groningen gas field and the construction of nuclear power plants, we are forced to spend billions on American fossil fuels. The Netherlands has sufficient fossil reserves and potential for nuclear energy to be self-sufficient, but this deal blocks those possibilities and keeps us trapped in dependence on imports. This will lead to higher energy prices for Dutch households and industry, and increase our vulnerability to geopolitical fluctuations.

Moreover, this deal underscores the fundamental problems of the EU: von der Leyen acts as an unelected bureaucrat without taking national interests into account, further eroding Dutch sovereignty. The Netherlands is paying the price for a compromise that mainly benefits larger EU countries, while we, as a smaller nation, are disproportionately affected. This is a wake-up call: we must reclaim our own trade policy and no longer allow Brussels to make deals that harm us.

In order to force this urgent debate, we need at least 30 signatures from members of parliament, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Forum for Democracy will submit this request to the Speaker and calls on you to participate by signing and encouraging your fellow party members to do the same. Let us act together to protect the interests of the Netherlands. I propose that this urgent debate be scheduled as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Thierry Baudet