Economy News in English

Dutch industry grows at fastest pace in four years driven by chemicals and refineries

The Dutch industrial sector experienced its strongest growth in four years during the second quarter of 2026, with revenue increasing by 8.4 percent compared to the previous year. This growth was prim...

US and Canada reach last-minute deal to suspend new tariffs

The United States and Canada reached an agreement on Tuesday to postpone new 50 percent import tariffs just hours before they were scheduled to take effect. This deal temporarily prevents an escalatin...

Cabinet regrets that 'data vault' with childcare benefits scandal documents remained hidden

The Dutch cabinet has expressed regret for failing to inform the House of Representatives earlier about a data vault containing millions of documents related to the child benefit scandal. Officials al...

From egg salad sandwiches to yellow curry chips: why we love visiting supermarkets abroad

Many travelers find visiting local supermarkets in foreign countries more engaging than traditional tourist sites. Experts suggest this trend is driven by human curiosity and the desire for novel expe...

Klarna plunges on Wall Street, tech and chip companies also under pressure

Swedish payment service Klarna saw its stock drop nearly 20 percent on Wall Street after lowering its annual revenue forecast from 4.3 billion dollars to between 4.1 and 4.2 billion dollars. The compa...

OpenAI launches ChatGPT version for teens following heavy criticism

OpenAI is introducing a new version of ChatGPT specifically designed for teenagers that includes enhanced safety measures. The move follows significant criticism regarding the potential negative impac...

Oil prices rise slightly after deadline for US-Iran deal passes

Oil prices have risen slightly following the expiration of a sixty-day deadline for the United States and Iran to reach new agreements. The period was intended for the two countries to establish terms...

Katja quietly changes piglet candy shape after 33 years: ‘More contemporary’

After 33 years, the candy brand Katja has quietly updated the shape of its popular pig-shaped sweets. The company confirmed the change, noting that the new design is intended to look more contemporary...

Pub chain bans music and speakerphone calls: 'Customers are going mad'

The British pub chain Wetherspoon has banned the use of phone speakers across its 792 locations. Staff will intervene if customers use speakerphone, citing complaints from other guests about the noise...

Living on the water is not cheap: houseboat is more expensive than a house

Although houseboats often appear cheaper than traditional houses due to their smaller size, they are actually more expensive per square meter. In the Netherlands, buyers pay over 20 percent more for t...

Tobacco industry eyes nicotine pouches for new success

Tobacco companies are increasingly focusing on nicotine pouches as a profitable alternative to traditional cigarettes. While these products are currently growing faster than vapes, the industry faces ...

Nearly entire market value of Meta at stake in lawsuit over addictive apps

Meta is facing a lawsuit in California initiated by several U.S. states that accuse the company of exploiting young users and failing to protect them from psychological harm caused by Instagram and Fa...

Chinese bar offers customers free AI access with a beer

A bar in China is attracting customers by offering free access to the AI platform DeepSeek with the purchase of a drink. This initiative aims to draw visitors by integrating popular AI technology into...

Cabinet wants to build 100,000 homes, but regulations hinder investors

The Dutch government aims to construct 100,000 new homes annually, but stakeholders warn that current policies are hindering progress. Rising costs and increased risks are causing investors and landlo...

Vanilla custard falls out of favor: supermarkets pull the dessert from shelves en masse

Dutch dairy brands and major supermarkets like Albert Heijn are phasing out 'blanke vla' due to declining consumer demand. Manufacturers have stopped production as customers increasingly prefer more d...

Students Mats (19), Amida (38), and Mette (19) get by on 414, 2000, and 824 euros a month: 'Moving out means I have to work more'

Burger war: Iconic Big Mac takes a hit, Whopper leads 1-0

McDonald's and Burger King are currently engaged in a fierce market battle over hamburger popularity. While the Whopper is currently favored, McDonald's is attempting to regain market share by introdu...

34 fines issued on Merwede bridge on first day of police action against trucks

On Monday, Dutch authorities issued 34 fines to trucks and touring coaches for violating the ban on heavy traffic on the Merwedebrug. This enforcement action marked the first day of police patrols aim...

Prinsjesdag is approaching, but real negotiations could still take months

The Dutch minority cabinet is currently engaging with the opposition to discuss the budget ahead of the upcoming Prinsjesdag. Although a deadline is approaching, officials suggest that these talks cou...

Nestlé adjusts offering due to rise of weight-loss drugs

Nestlé plans to develop new food products specifically designed for individuals using weight-loss medication. The company aims to address health challenges associated with rapid weight loss, such as ...

European investigations could cost SHEIN billions

Chinese e-commerce platform SHEIN faces the potential of multi-billion euro fines in Europe due to investigations into consumer protection, privacy regulations, and the sale of illegal goods. Regulato...

Holding onto that holiday feeling after your vacation? It's actually impossible

Psychologist Thijs Launspach explains that it is impossible to maintain the relaxed feeling of a vacation after returning to daily work life. He suggests that instead of trying to force this feeling, ...

Eurostar competitor can travel to Amsterdam from 2030

Virgin Trains has received authorization from the British rail regulator ORR to operate up to twenty daily round trips between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam starting in 2030. This decision ai...

Nieuwendijk entrepreneurs must apply for permit following 'signals of criminal activity in shops'

The Amsterdam municipality is introducing a mandatory permit system for businesses on the Nieuwendijk to combat suspected criminal activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking. This requir...

No laptop or even a school bag: poverty also affects children at school

An increasing number of families are struggling to afford essential school supplies, such as laptops and school bags, for their children. Approximately 63 percent of relief organizations report a risi...

Booking.com hunts down chat scammers and emails Dutch holidaymakers: Send us screenshots

Booking.com is actively reaching out to Dutch travelers affected by chat fraud on its platform. The company is requesting evidence such as screenshots and bank statements to combat a recent surge in c...

Many questions about the expiry of cheap NS train subscriptions

Dutch national railway company NS is receiving numerous inquiries regarding the billing process for its 49-euro 'Dal Vrij' subscription. The company recently issued a warning to passengers that the pr...

Swedish candy craze leads to takeover of Dutch candy manufacturer

The Swedish company Orkla Snacks Sverige intends to acquire the Dutch candy manufacturer The European Candy Group. This acquisition aims to increase production capacity to meet the rising demand for c...

Germans staying away from Dutch holiday parks in droves due to higher prices

German tourists are significantly reducing their bookings at Dutch holiday parks this year. Reports indicate that the decline is driven by the perception that the Netherlands has become an increasingl...

Asset managers pay intermediaries: 'Costs unclear to the client'

The Dutch financial regulator AFM is investigating claims that some wealth managers are circumventing the commission ban by paying intermediaries. Critics argue that these practices negatively impact ...