Back from a week in DC – what Washington, Brussels, and The Hague can learn from each other about lobbying

After an intensive week in Washington, filled with conversations with lobbyists, policymakers, and politicians, I’ve returned to the Netherlands with fresh insights. As a public affairs adviser active in The Hague and Brussels, I view the development of our profession through a broad lens. In that light, it was particularly valuable to experience the shifting political landscape in the US up close – especially now, following Donald Trump’s re-election.

What struck me most is how profoundly the political context shapes the way lobbyists operate. Washington demands a fundamentally different approach than Brussels or The Hague. Yet there are also similarities and lessons that apply more broadly – especially now that Europe is also facing increasing polarization and political fragmentation.

Below, I share four key observations from my time in Washington – the differences with Brussels and The Hague, but also the lessons we can take away.

1. Washington is transactional, Brussels and The Hague are process-driven

In Washington, advocacy is largely about immediate added value: what political relevance are you bringing to the table right now? Access is less about formal roles or deep content knowledge, and more about how you contribute to political or electoral goals – with time, resources, visibility, or networks.

In Brussels and The Hague, the emphasis lies on legitimacy, relationships, and process. To be persuasive there, you need to understand the policymaking process, know how to build coalitions, and have long-term stamina.

Both approaches are valuable – but they require different skills. The challenge lies in combining them: process knowledge and political timing, substance and speed.

2. Washington is about bipartisanship, Europe is about multipartisanship

In Washington, maintaining relationships across the political aisle is essential. Focusing solely on one party is risky, especially given how quickly power can shift in American politics. Even now, with a Republican White House and majorities in both Houses of Congress, bipartisanship remains a prerequisite for lasting influence.

This is equally true in Europe. The June 2024 European elections further fragmented the European Parliament. Classic majorities are harder to form, and in The Hague, we see how established parties are losing ground to outspoken newcomers who dominate the debate.

For public affairs professionals, this means investing in broad, ideologically diverse relationships. Not to win every argument, but to ensure your voice is heard across the board.

3. Transparency: from voluntary to mature practice

Lobbying in the US is tightly regulated and largely transparent. Who is lobbying, for whom, and with what budget – it’s all publicly recorded in a federal register. This transparency enforces diligence, professionalism, and accountability. It also helps to normalize lobbying as an integral part of the democratic process – as long as it’s done by the rules. That openness strengthens legitimacy, both politically and socially. It also clarifies the playing field: you know who’s at the table, on whose behalf, and with what means.

In The Hague and Brussels, transparency registers are still relatively young, not mandatory for all institutions, and poorly enforced. Participation is often voluntary, and many exceptions apply. In the Netherlands, for example, contact with civil servants falls outside the parliamentary register, and the EU Transparency Register does not cover all EU bodies.

Still, there is growing awareness in both Brussels and The Hague that more transparency is needed to maintain public trust in the profession. By working openly, lobbyists can show they contribute to better policymaking – in a professional and ethical way.

4. Professionalism is not a buzzword, but a necessity

Another thing that stood out in Washington: professional conduct is recognized and respected. Whether you’re speaking with a senator’s staffer or a senior adviser in the White House – those who are well-prepared, sharp in analysis, and clear in communication get noticed.

The same applies in Brussels and The Hague. But as the public affairs profession continues to grow in the Netherlands and Europe, so does our responsibility to uphold high standards. That requires investment – in people, in training, in ethics, and in open dialogue with the world outside our sector.

In conclusion: influence is not a trick, it’s a craft

Whether you’re lobbying in Washington, Brussels, or The Hague: influence depends on trust, timing, and clarity. It also demands adaptability to the political system you’re working within – and a willingness to keep learning.

My visit to Washington confirmed that. And it strengthened my belief that we, as a sector in the Netherlands and Europe, still have major strides to make – in openness, in sharpness, and in strategic awareness.