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US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warns Dutch companies such as Shell, Boskalis and Van Oord that they run the risk of sanctions from the United States because of their cooperation in a Russian gas pipeline.
Hoekstra said Wednesday in a conversation with a radio program [ De Nieuws BV . The ambassador can not say if the sanctions will actually come, but he points out that the US government is ready to make the decision.
US President Donald Trump may impose these sanctions on the basis of a decision signed last month, the CAATSA Sanction Act. With this law, the US government can, among other things, freeze the assets and accounts of companies or individuals in the United States
It is in particular the participation of the Nord Stream II pipeline companies under construction in the Baltic sea. The United States is against the construction of the pipeline.
Companies still do not take action
"It is extremely important for some Dutch companies, and when sanctions are imposed, they are subject to all kinds of legal obligations," Hoekstra told the radio. . "But more importantly, they must first decide if they want to continue with Nord Stream and when they do, it still has consequences."
Van Oord and Boskalis follow developments and also have agreements with the client on the procedure to follow. possible sanctions. "We currently see no reason to anticipate consequences," according to the companies in a joint statement. Shell says it is important to fulfill its obligations as a financial investor in Nord Stream II.
Minister Stef Blok (Foreign Affairs) said companies should contact the US government and see what the consequences would be for businesses.
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