NBCC The Hague 6th May 2025
A Time for Boldness: Reimagining the UK-EU Partnership
Distinguished Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen, Minister Klever, Your Excellency… it is indeed a pleasure to be back on Dutch soil. Those five years I spent immersed in the vibrant, if subtly complex, world of Dutch business at Quest International – a period where I learned that deciphering a Dutch opinion can be akin to cracking the Enigma code – remain etched in my memory.
And let me tell you, navigating the nuances of Naarden and Laren prepared me well for the equally fascinating, albeit more publicly debated, intricacies of the UK-EU relationship.
My tenure as CBI President, those three rather eventful years, were defined by a singular, unwavering conviction: the profound and multifaceted benefits of a strong bond between the United Kingdom and the European Union. And in that endeavour, the Netherlands stood as a steadfast ally, both before and after that seismic referendum.
I recall my meetings with Prime Minister Rutte – direct, pragmatic, typically Dutch. His succinct advice, “Paul, don’t mess up!”, resonated deeply. Sadly, a few more voters had a different idea in what I still believe was an ill-timed and ill-judged decision.
Yet, even amidst the ensuing complexities, we knew we had true friends in the Dutch business community and government. Sharing a platform with the late Hans de Boer, the former VNO President, a man whose humanity shone through every interaction, was a privilege. And if I’m truly honest, the prospect of facing the formidable leadership duo of Lyne and Heba Bevan at the NBCC – true entrepreneurial powerhouses – provided a healthy dose of motivation to be here tonight. Fear, you see, can be a powerful catalyst!
But we are not here to dwell on the past. We are here to look forward, and the 19th of May Summit presents, in my view, the best opportunity we have seen for a genuine UK-EU reset. What troubles me, however, is the relative quietude of the business voice on both sides of the Channel. Where is the ambition? Where is the proactive influence needed to galvanise our political leaders to think big, to be bold? If not now, when? The timing, I believe, is absolutely critical.
Consider the shifting global landscape. The very foundations of free trade, the principles championed by the International Chambers of Commerce since the aftermath of the First World War, are being challenged. We see a nation across the Atlantic turning its back on the rule of law, on established agreements, and seemingly on the economic logic of free exchange. This is not a moment for timidity. This is a moment for the UK and the EU to double down on the principles of free trade, the very essence of which is embodied in the concepts of a customs union and a single market.
As I sat down just days ago to gather my thoughts, the headline in the Financial Times screamed: “Brussels demands UK fishing rights in return for food standards deal.” My immediate, perhaps undiplomatic, reaction was akin to a vintage John McEnroe outburst: “You cannot be serious!” Here we are, witnessing tectonic shifts in the global trade landscape, and we are still haggling over fish.
With all due respect, and speaking purely personally, it strikes me that the EU might have been wiser to accelerate a comprehensive deal with the UK before the UK forged its own path with the USA. It is 2025, not 1965. It is time to focus on the big picture: a robust UK-EU partnership as the pre-eminent defence and trading alliance on this planet.
And then, just yesterday, the news broke that the European Union appears to have rejected British appeals for access to critical databases – another hurdle thrown in the path of these so-called reset talks. Surely, ladies and gentlemen, it is time we, as the business community, actively encourage our negotiators to seek solutions, not to erect further barriers to progress.
For now, the relationship exists in a state of tension. On one side, the undeniable pull of economic gravity is beginning to reassert itself – we see it in the veterinary agreement, in the potential relinking of our carbon markets.
Yet, on the other, the enduring centre of British political gravity – the focus on anti-immigration and the continued allure of divisive voices – hinders a full reconciliation. This challenge is further complicated by an EU navigating its own internal dynamics, balancing the desire for a stronger relationship with the UK against the sensitivities of certain member states and the fluctuating influence of far-right movements.
At times, I find myself wondering if 21st-century politicians are paralysed by the fear of opposition, rather than driven by the leadership required to secure their nations’ prosperity.
In this intricate geopolitical environment, it is relationships – personal and international – that will be the bedrock of sustained free trade and enduring peace for generations to come. And in this context, the ties between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are not merely those of significant trading partners and mutual investors. They are foundations built upon centuries of shared history and deep-rooted connections. Think of the Glorious Revolution, where a Dutch Stadtholder ascended to the British throne, forging a shared monarchy.
Remember the wartime alliance, where the Netherlands found refuge and continued its fight for freedom alongside the UK.
Today, our nations stand shoulder-to-shoulder in numerous military operations and initiatives, from NATO to the Joint Expeditionary Force. Even the bonds between our Royal Marines and the Netherlands Marine Corps speak to a profound and enduring friendship.
Beyond security, we share fundamental democratic traditions, a deep commitment to the rule of law and a rules-based international order, working collaboratively in global forums to uphold these vital principles.
And as North Sea neighbours, we have practical, shared interests in energy, security, and the crucial matter of environmental protection.
In conclusion, an enhanced EU-UK trade agreement holds the key to mitigating the negative economic consequences of Brexit for both our nations. This requires a focus on reducing non-tariff barriers, bolstering services trade, encouraging investment, addressing specific sectoral needs with pragmatism, and cultivating a more stable and cooperative long-term relationship.
The Netherlands, while rightly prioritising EU unity, has a profound interest in minimising economic disruption and preserving its robust trade links with the United Kingdom.
The time for cautious whispers is over. The moment for bold ambition is now. Let the voice of business be heard, loud and clear, urging our leaders to seize this opportunity, to think big, and to forge a truly prosperous future for both the United Kingdom and the European Union. Thank you.
Paul Drechsler CBE
Lead Non-Executive Director
UK Department for Business and Trade.