Trading Partner Portal: Netherlands
Interview Series with California’s Key Trading Partners – Featuring Consul General of the Netherlands in San Francisco, Dirk Janssen – Innovative Spirit, Digital Connections Help Transition to Resilient Economic Future
CalChamber, January 15, 2021
Trade Overview
The Netherlands has a population of 18.09 million citizens and GDP of $1.33 trillion as of 2025. The Netherlands, literally meaning “low countries” with its capital in Amsterdam, has one of the largest ports in Europe – Rotterdam – and is the home to The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government, parliament and the Supreme Court. Most foreign embassies and international organizations such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are also housed in The Hague.
The Netherlands and the United States have been allies for over four hundred years, based on a shared history and beliefs in freedom, democracy and justice. Strong economic ties between the Netherlands and the United States support 618,300 American jobs, with more than 130,000 in the thirteen westernmost states.
The United States greatly values its strong economic and commercial ties with The Netherlands as it has no significant trade or investment barriers. The Netherlands is a receptive market for U.S. exports and an important investment partner, as well as the 7th largest importer of U.S. goods with a value of $95.64 billion in 2025. The Netherlands participates in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for certain business or tourism purposes for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
U.S. – Netherlands Trade
In 2025, two-way goods trade between the U.S. and the Netherlands equaled $130.59 an almost 6.8% increase from the previous year. U.S. exports to the Netherlands totaled $95.64 billion with oil and gas making up $29.41 billion of the total. This was followed by chemicals ($17.22 billion), computer and electronic products ($15.58 billion), miscellaneous manufactures ($7.79 billion), petroleum & coal products ($5.30 billion).
The United States imported $34.94 billion from Netherlands in 2025. This included chemicals ($13.25 billion), non-electrical machinery ($5.52 billion), petroleum and coal products ($3.79 billion), goods returned ($2.71 billion), and processed food ($1.76 billion).
Total services trade between the U.S. and the Netherlands was $56.71 billion, with exports totaling $38.69 billion. Top exports from the u.S. to the Netherlands were other business services, charges for intellectual property use, financial services, telecommunications, computer, and information services, and transport services.
In 2022, total services imports were $18.02 billion, with top imports being other business services, transport services, charges for intellectual property use, travel, and telecommunications, computer, & information services.
California – Netherlands Trade
California exported $8.39 billion worth of goods to the Netherlands, making it California’s 7th largest export destination in 2025. These exports included computer and electronic products ($3.10 billion), miscellaneous manufactured commodities ($1.49 billion), chemicals ($1.01 billion), non-electrical machinery ($633 million), and agricultural products ($573 million).
California imported approximately $1.72 billion in 2025 from the Netherlands. The majority of imports were non-electrical machinery ($348 million), goods returned ($316 million), computer & electronic products ($155 million), petroleum and coal products ($143 million), and processed foods ($139 million).
FDI – Netherlands
The foreign direct investment position of the United States to the Netherlands totaled $1.04 trillion in 2025, making it the second-largest destination for U.S. FDI abroad. The investment position from The Netherlands to the United States was $751.8 billion. The Netherlands is the 8th largest source of FDI in the United States, supporting an estimated 618,300 jobs in the U.S., invested $5.5 billion into research and development, and another $54.3 billion into expanding U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for FDI into the U.S. are software and IT services, business services, industrial equipment, food and beverages, chemicals, and energy. Select USA
In California, the Netherlands became the 7th largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) in 2025. Dutch FOEs provided 27,476 jobs through 369 firms amounting to almost $2.59 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are professional/business services, retail trade, manufacturing, information, and financial activities (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
WTO Trade Profile – Netherlands
U.S. -Netherlands Relations (U.S. State Department)
U.S. Census Bureau Trade in Goods – Netherlands
CalChamber Resources
- Netherlands American Chamber
- Netherland Consulates in California
- International Trade FAQs
- GO-Biz Stats: Dutch FDI in CA
Business
- California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
- U.S Commercial Service in the Netherlands
- AmCham Netherlands
- Embassy of the Netherlands
- Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency
- Netherlands Business Support Office, Los Angeles
- Holland International Distribution Council
- The Netherland-American Foundation: