On Wednesday 28 October, Erasmus School of Economics welcomed Margriet Vonno, who serves as Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Canada. At the invitation of Assistant Professor Julian Emami Namini and Professor Maarten Bosker, she delivered a guest lecture attended by approximately 200 undergraduate and master's students. The session focused on international economic relations, diplomacy, and the changing geopolitical landscape.
During her lecture, Vonno discussed Canada's trade relationship with the United States, political tensions in North America and Canada's strategy to reduce its dependence on a single trading partner. She also explored opportunities to strengthen trade relations between Canada and the European Union, and the Netherlands' important role as a trading partner for Canada.
The economic ties between the Netherlands and Canada are substantial. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods and services amounted to approximately €15 billion. The Port of Rotterdam and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol play an important role in the Netherlands' position as a logistics gateway for Canadian products entering Europe. Provisionally applied since September 2017, the EU–Canada trade agreement CETA has removed many tariffs and improved access to each other's markets.
Vonno also highlighted promising sectors for Dutch businesses in Canada, including agrifood and horticulture, life sciences and healthcare, science and technology, the energy transition, and the defence industry. Practical challenges facing international businesses were also addressed, including lengthy administrative procedures and the availability of critical raw materials.
The lecture was followed by an interactive discussion in which students spoke directly with Vonno. Their questions covered trade policy, global security issues and the practical challenges of working as a diplomat. The session gave students valuable insight into the interplay between economic interests, international cooperation and geopolitical developments.
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For questions, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, +31 653 641 846.
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