KVS Preliminary Advice: Openness in times of geopolitical fragmentation
On Monday 1 December, the KVS Preliminary Advice will be presented to European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. This year's Preliminary Advice of the Royal Society for State Economics (KVS) are about geopolitics, prosperity and the role of the Netherlands within Europe. Editors Ralph de Haas, Bob Rijkers and Marcel Timmer have compiled a collection of articles that addresses important themes of today, including climate policy, defence, financial integration, international trade, migration and big tech.
The volume Openheid in tijden van geopolitieke fragmentatie ('Openness in times of geopolitical fragmentation') contains various contributions by economists affiliated with the Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.).
More national autonomy is an illusion
For example, in their introduction 'Openness in times of geopolitical fragmentation', editors Ralph de Haas, Bob Rijkers (U.S.E.) and Marcel Timmer show how geopolitical shifts, climate change and technological transformation make more intensive European cooperation necessary for the Netherlands. More national autonomy is an illusion in many policy areas, according to the editors, when looking at contributions in the volume. They argue for pragmatic and selective integration with, where necessary, adequate compensation for structural losers.
In 'Climate policy under pressure: policy coordination more urgent than ever', Inge van den Bijgaart and Leon Bremer of U.S.E., together with Carolyn Fischer and Henri L.F. de Groot, write about the pressure on national climate policy due to high energy prices and rising costs of ETS emission allowances. In order to stay on course towards a climate-neutral economy and to limit the costs of this transition, it is crucial to define a clear long-term strategy, stick to it and align it with other EU member states.
Facts on trade and recent countervailing forces regarding free trade
In 'Usefulness and necessity of an open economy', Charles van Marrewijk (U.S.E.), Harry Garretsen and Steven Brakman write that open economies lead to a better global distribution of labour and to more prosperity. But what are the facts on trade and the recent countervailing forces regarding free trade? And how can we distinguish sense from nonsense?
Presentation Monday 1 December 2025
The presentation of the KVS Preliminary Advice will take place during the event "Geopolitics and Prosperity: The Netherlands within Europe" on Monday 1 December 14:00-16:30 in Amare, Spuiplein 150 in The Hague. This event is organised in collaboration with the representation of the European Commission in the Netherlands. European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra will give the keynote speech.
Registration
Participation in the afternoon is free of charge, but registration is required via the following website:
More information
If you would like to know more about the KVS, the Preliminary Advice or this event, please visit the association's website.
If you would like to know more about the contributions of the economists who are also affiliated with the Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.), please contact press officer Gert den Toom (g.dentoom@uu.nl or +31 6 383 25 878).