US-Belgium relations rocked by major tensions
Photo: Maxime Prévot, Belgian Foreign Minister (Getty Images)
US Ambassador Bill White has sparked a new escalation in US-Belgian relations, according to Belga News.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot plans to summon White over the diplomat's offensive remarks directed at Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
The US ambassador posted a photo on Instagram that was generated by artificial intelligence. In the post, an image of Vandenbroucke is accompanied by derogatory captions: "Damages every form of joy in life." Above it, he wrote: "Who's the biggest loser in Belgium?"
This was White's response to the debate surrounding a new law requiring health warnings about the dangers of alcohol in advertising.
This post by the American diplomat sparked a barrage of criticism and outrage within the Belgian government.
"It is unacceptable for an ambassador accredited in Belgium to turn against a member of our government in this manner. As Foreign minister, I will be summoning the American ambassador in the coming days," Prévot said.
Bill White mockingly takes a jab at Frank Vandenbroucke (Photo: Instagram/billwhiteflausa)
This is not the first time White has publicly clashed with representatives of the Belgian government. Because of this, he has already been summoned to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previously, the U.S. ambassador had engaged in public disputes with Vandenbroucke and Prévot.
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