Almost 59 percent of industrial companies involved in exporting in the Netherlands expressed no worries regarding trade policy for their export activities in the next 12 months, according to a recent report by CBS. The survey, conducted in March 2023 among industrial firms with a minimum of 5 employees, revealed that companies not facing concerns often cited non-tariff measures and trade sanctions as the most worrying elements of trade policy.
Among the exporting companies in the industry, over 12 percent identified non-tariff measures, such as customs formalities or product requirements, as the primary concern regarding trade policy in the coming year. Approximately 10 percent of exporters found trade sanctions to be the most worrisome aspect, while over 7 percent were particularly concerned about import tariffs.
The electrical and machinery industry showed the highest level of apprehension about trade policy, with nearly 60 percent expressing concerns. Both non-tariff measures and trade sanctions were regarded as the most worrying factors in these sectors. On the other hand, the wood and construction materials industry demonstrated the least amount of concern about trade policy. Within this industry, exporters were primarily troubled by sustainability requirements, accounting for nearly 9 percent of responses.
These findings indicate that a significant portion of exporting industries in the Netherlands are confident in their ability to navigate trade policies and anticipate minimal disruptions in their export activities.