Belgium summons US ambassador over social media attacks on Belgian officials

Full text

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot urged U.S. Ambassador Bill White on Monday to stop targeting government officials in his social media tirades, as further provocation could strain bilateral ties.

Prévot told White in a meeting that public comments “personally targeting Belgian officials … cannot be tolerated,” and “any further provocation would be counterproductive and could lead to an unnecessary escalation in our relations,” according to a statement from his spokesperson sent to POLITICO.

“The role of an ambassador is governed by well-established diplomatic rules and practices, including mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs,” the written remarks continued.

Prévot summoned White following the American envoy’s Instagram outburst against Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke on Friday. White posted an AI-generated image of the health minister and asked: “Who’s the biggest LOSER in Belgium?” The foreign minister called the attack “unacceptable.”

White struck a markedly lighter tone as he arrived for the Monday meeting.

“I am very happy to see my friend Maxime Prévot,” he told VTM NEWS, adding that the pair had “very important things to discuss.” He pointed to plans for a new U.S. embassy in Brussels and economic ties between the two countries.

It is White’s second dressing-down this year. In February, he was summoned after accusing Belgium of antisemitism and pressing Vandenbroucke to intervene in a probe involving Jewish ritual circumcisions.

Pieter Haeck contributed reporting.