From Holland to the East: D66’s Implications for Asian Foreign Policies

Introduction

The outcome of the recent Dutch elections, with the leading Democrats 66 (D66), may signal a potential reorientation of the Netherlands’ foreign policy toward Asia. D66’s strengthened position in parliament, characterized by socially liberal and progressive values, may reshape the Netherlands' approach to its interactions with Asian states. This article offers a forward-looking analysis of what this shift might mean for Dutch-Asian foreign relations. It asks: based on D66’s past positions and core principles, how could Dutch-Asian relations evolve under their expanded influence? Even as it examines what D66 might bring to Dutch-Asian relations, it is essential to note that influence in the Netherlands is always shaped by coalition bargaining and the wider architecture of EU coordination. This may limit how fully those ambitions can be realized.

The Hague

Currents of the Past 

Dutch engagement with Asia spans more than four centuries. It began with the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) in the early seventeenth century (Clulow et al., 2018). The VOC helped build an extensive commercial network across Asia and was one of the world’s first multinational trading companies. They established patterns of exchange that outlived the company itself. By the twentieth century, Dutch-Asian relations transitioned to diplomacy and partnership (Zandvliet, 2002). In recent years, Indonesia has remained central to Dutch-Asian relations, and ties with Japan and South Korea have increasingly centred on investment and high-value manufacturing (Zandvliet, 2002). Today, concerns over the supply chain and Indo-Pacific security define Dutch engagement (Okano-Heijmans, 2021). These long-standing dynamics provide the backdrop against which D66’s potential influence must be understood.

A Shift in the Tides: Who Are D66? 

D66 is a social-liberal and pro-European party founded in 1966, named for its birth year (Hanne Cokelaere & Verhelst, 2025). The party adopted the mantra “Het kan wel”, it is possible, expressing its determination to modernize Dutch democracy (Democrats 66, 2025b). Over decades, D66 has championed evidence-based policymaking and progressive foreign policy anchored in EU cooperation and human rights (Hanne Cokelaere & Verhelst, 2025).

Previously, D66 participated in multiple coalition governments. In the 1990s, they had a presence in the influential “Purple” cabinets, which united centrists and leftists, and between 2017 and 2022, they were also present in the Rutte-led coalitions (Nijland, 2025; Holligan, 2021). In this election cycle, the party presented itself as an alternative to the rising populist and nationalist sentiments (Winter, 2023). With a total of 26 seats garnered this election,   66 had their strongest result ever, surpassing the 24 seats it held in 2021 (Hanne Cokelaere & Verhelst, 2025).

D66’s foreign policy worldview is neither complex nor unique. They see that the Netherlands achieves greater influence through strategic alignment and that working within a unified EU framework is more productive than acting alone (Democrats 66, 2025a). Their stances hint at a preference for multilateral diplomacy over unilateralism. The party’s belief in the necessity for democratic norms is complemented by support for ethical economic engagement (Democrats 66, 2025a). For D66, globalization must be managed responsibly.

D66 and Asia: Foreign Policies 

D66’s approach to Asia does not promise grand unilateral shifts. Instead, their stance reflects a more multilateral balance. Openness to engagement, tempered by ethical guardrails, and always within the structural frameworks of EU coordination.

To begin, D66 often calls for transparency and consistency in trade policy. Their MPs have pushed for impact assessments before allowing Dutch exports of sensitive IT products that might be repurposed for repression in countries like China (Democrats 66, 2019). This indicates a view that trade and technology transfers carry responsibilities beyond profit. D66 has also been outspoken on abuses affecting persecuted minorities and has publicly supported democratic aspirations for Myanmar (Schaart, 2021). Their official platform emphasizes that Dutch foreign policy should not ignore oppression simply because it takes place far away (Democrats 66, 2025b).

This value-driven stance is arguably reflected in the Netherlands’ 2020 Indo-Pacific Guidelines, which were drafted while D66 was part of the governing coalition (The World and Japan Database, 2020). Those guidelines prioritized cooperation with like-minded Asian democracies to help them maintain inclusive economic partnerships while also strengthening security (Okano-Heijmans, 2021a). On top of that, the guidelines also aimed to prioritize cooperation, fostering peace, and sustainable growth (Hofstede, 2025). While the document is an official government plan, its timing and content show signs of D66’s influence. It reflects how, under favorable coalition conditions, D66’s worldview can shape policy direction without needing sole control.

D66 supports agreements grounded in “value-driven, green, multilateral cooperation” in the playing field of trade and global economics (Democrats 66, 2025b). A key example of this is the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which D66 welcomed (Democrats 66, 2017). To them, the agreement signaled democratic alignment in an era of an uncertain global economy (Democrats 66, 2017). In a debate, D66 MP Bouali defended EU-Japan trade terms by highlighting that explicit climate commitments and environmental responsibility must not be separated (Tweede Kamer, 2017). These stances reflect a key factor in D66's worldview: the EU’s successes in Asian relations are seen as a success for the Netherlands as well.  

D66 also sees foreign relations as a tool for development and creating shared global futures. The former foreign minister Sigrid Kaag, who is a key D66 figure, led Dutch economic missions to Indonesia and helped broker a €1.5 billion cooperation deal (National Enterprise Agency, 2020). This deal emphasized sustainable and inclusive development across the region(Iswara, 2020). It should also be noted that she publicly supported the proposed EU-Indonesia trade agreement, which she framed as aligned with international standards, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Cindyara, 2020; Okano-Heijmans, 2021b). Looking at these past engagements, it can be seen that for D66, trade may be used as a tool for shared growth and development.

Still, D66’s economic openness comes with vigilance. Their 2025-2030 election program calls for reduced European dependence on strategic powers such as China and the United States, especially in critical sectors (Democrats 66, 2025b). In their “Scherp China beleid aan”, they demand stricter export controls on sensitive technologies and human-rights due diligence for European companies operating in authoritarian states (Democrats 66, 2019). Their stance reflects caution, acknowledging that globalization brings both opportunity and vulnerability. D66 proposes that cooperation and caution are not opposites but co-requisites.

When examined, D66’s Asian foreign policy identity falls somewhere in the middle. It does not have the markings of strong faith globalism, nor does it promote defensive isolationism. Instead, what D66 aims to promote reads more like regulated engagement grounded in shared values and multilateral coordination. Although their goals and influences are readily stated, implementing them remains difficult, as they are still constrained by EU-level coordination and the unpredictable interplay of coalitions and domestic politics (Kaarbo, 2012).

An Uncertain Future

It is important to note that D66 does not hold unilateral power over Dutch foreign policy. Their aspirations are subject to coalition bargaining and the necessity of compromise within the Dutch Government. In a multiparty system like the Netherlands, every policy must pass through alliance-building and often dilution (Kaarbo, 2012). Other parties share liberal values and pro-EU commitments, but overlapping interests may blunt D66’s distinctiveness while diffusing responsibility for foreign-policy outcomes.

The 26-seat win of D66 does not guarantee dominance or certainty of influence. The fact that the Party for Freedom (PVV) holds an equal number of seats complicates government formation (Kirby, 2025). Consequently, D66 may attempt to rebuild partnerships with potential allies to secure a majority, and several Dutch parties already share aspects of D66’s foreign policy outlook. For instance, GroenLinks shares common ground with D66 on human rights and sustainability, while the Socialist Party supports stronger labour protections and ethical oversight of supply chains, though it is skeptical of free trade agreements (RefugeeHelp, 2025). In 2019, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and D66 publicly criticized the Dutch government’s China strategy for insufficient attention to human rights abuses (NL Times, 2019). Collectively, these points suggest potential coalition partners and areas of compromise.

In a favourable coalition, D66 may still influence soft-power diplomacy and ethical EU-coordinated strategies in Asia. In a less favorable alignment, their ambitions may be tempered and compromised. Short-term effects might include symbolic diplomacy and cautious engagement in trade discussions  (Kaarbo, 2012). Longer-term shifts and Asia-policy orientation remain contingent on both coalition stability and EU-level dynamics. The question now is not whether D66 can reshape Dutch-Asian relations. The issue at hand is whether the coalition partners, EU commitments, and global economic pressures will enable them to do so. 

Conclusion

This article began by asking: What does a stronger D66 mean for Dutch-Asian relations? The answer, like all things political, is hopeful but conditional. D66 brings a vision grounded in liberal values and regulated global engagement. It may be a potential force for recalibrated trade and diplomacy across Asia. But whether that vision becomes policy depends entirely on coalition arithmetic. In the coming months, D66’s ideals will be tested by realpolitik. The Netherlands rests at a crossroad. The promise of a progressive, outward-looking Asia policy exists. However, turning possibility into policy will require coalition alignment, political will, and a readiness to act.

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