Belgian foreign minister draws line after US envoy’s online outburst

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has urged US Ambassador Bill White to stop publicly targeting Belgian government officials, warning that further provocations could strain relations between Brussels and Washington, POLITICO reports.

Prévot summoned White for a meeting after the US envoy posted an Instagram message targeting Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.

During the meeting, Prévot told White that public comments “personally targeting Belgian officials … cannot be tolerated,” while warning that “any further provocation would be counterproductive and could lead to an unnecessary escalation in our relations,” according to a statement from the minister’s spokesperson.

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

White had sparked the latest dispute on Friday by posting an AI-generated image of Vandenbroucke and asking: “Who’s the biggest LOSER in Belgium?” Prévot described the post as “unacceptable.”

The ambassador adopted a more conciliatory tone ahead of Monday’s meeting.

“I am very happy to see my friend Maxime Prévot,” White said, adding that the two had “very important things to discuss.” He cited plans for a new US embassy in Brussels and broader economic ties between Belgium and the United States.

The incident marks the second time this year that White has been summoned by Belgian authorities over his public remarks.

In February, the ambassador was called in after accusing Belgium of antisemitism and urging Vandenbroucke to intervene in an investigation concerning Jewish ritual circumcision.

By Vafa Guliyeva