The king and queen of the Netherlands embarked on the second day of their U.S. tour with a visit to Savannah, Georgia, a city rich in history and a key player in global trade. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were warmly welcomed by Mayor Van Johnson at Savannah's City Hall, where they engaged in a roundtable discussion with city officials and Dutch dignitaries.
Savannah, founded in 1733 by British colonists, showcased its historic preservation efforts to the royal couple. The visit included interactions with local academics and students at Savannah State University, the state's oldest historically Black public college.
The highlight of the day was a tour of the Port of Savannah, the fourth-busiest U.S. seaport for container cargo. Handling 4.9 million container units in 2023, Savannah is a crucial hub for various goods, from consumer electronics to frozen poultry.
Economic ties between Georgia and the Netherlands have been robust, with trade amounting to $2.9 billion in 2023. Georgia exported goods worth $1.8 billion to the Netherlands, including medical instruments and data processing machines, while importing $1.2 billion in products such as aircraft parts and malt beer.
The royal visit to the U.S. began in Atlanta, where they met with Governor Brian Kemp, visited the burial site of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and explored the city's vibrant music scene. The tour will conclude with two days in New York, marking the end of their four-day journey across the United States.
