THE HAGUE - Prime Minister Dick Schoof hopes to maintain a friendly relationship with Donald Trump once he takes office as the President of the United States. Schoof’s predecessor Mark Rutte managed to build a good relationship with Trump during his first presidency between 2016 and 2020. “It is certainly my intention to do that too,” Schoof said in the NOS radio program Met het Oog op Morgen. 

The United States is an important trading partner for the Netherlands, so it is important to maintain a good relationship with Trump, Schoof said. “It is in the interest of the Netherlands to estimate what he is planning to do and respond to it in a good way,” Schoof said. He stressed that Trump is a businessman who likes to make deals. “Then we have to make sure we have those deals.” 

Earlier on Monday, Schoof said on X that he spoke to Trump by phone and congratulated him on winning the presidency. On Met het Oog op Morgen, the Dutch Prime Minister added that Trump is “very interested” in the Netherlands. While campaigning, Trump always stressed “America First” in statements about Europe. But Schoof thinks the man is still determining his position regarding the Netherlands. 

Schoof said he stressed the importance of helping Ukraine against Russia when speaking to Trump. Ukraine losing would have dire consequences for peace and security in the Netherlands, Europe, and the United States, Schoof said. 

He also personally invited Trump to attend the NATO summit in The Hague next year. According to Schoof, Trump responded positively to the invitation.