For the first time since Britain left the European Union, a Dutch trade mission with ministers will go to the country across the North Sea on Monday. The United Kingdom is one of the most important trading partners of the Netherlands.

45 Dutch companies took part in the two-day mission to London by Minister Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade) and Secretary of State Vivianne Heijnen (Infrastructure). Sustainable mobility and artificial intelligence are at the heart of this mission.

The UK officially left the EU at the start of 2020. It was still a transition year so the UK still adhered to EU rules. But since last year, trading has become more difficult. There are more documents at the border and delivery times and costs increase.

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Improved export services

Trade between countries has suffered less. Goods exports to the UK fell slightly last year compared to 2020, but services exports rose sharply. Imports also increased. After Germany and Belgium, England is the third export destination for Dutch goods. The transit of goods through the Netherlands to the UK has fallen sharply since Brexit. Presumably these goods are now imported directly by the British.

Mainly machinery, equipment and petroleum products go to England. The Dutch business community primarily imports manufactured goods, chemical products, machinery and pharmaceutical products from the UK. Minister Schreinemacher’s agenda also includes a meeting with his British counterpart Kemi Badenoch from International Trade.

Read also | EU countries import 150 percent more than last year