US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White (Photo: U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White / X)
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot has summoned U.S. Ambassador Bill White over derogatory remarks directed at Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, Belga News Agency reported on Aug. 28.
White made the comments on Instagram amid a dispute in Belgium over a new law requiring stronger health warnings about alcohol in advertising.
The U.S. ambassador posted an AI-generated image of Vandenbroucke.
“Destroys all joy in life,” White wrote on the image, adding above it: “Who is the biggest loser in Belgium?”
The post sparked outrage within the Belgian government, which described the ambassador’s conduct as unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable for an ambassador accredited to Belgium to speak out in this way against a member of our government,” Prévot said. “As foreign minister, I will summon the U.S. ambassador in the coming days.”
Belgium debates tougher alcohol warnings
Belgium has recently seen a dispute over stricter health warnings required in alcohol advertising.
Instead of the previous wording, “Alcohol abuse is harmful to your health,” producers are now required to state: “Alcohol is harmful to your health.”
Belgian brewers have launched a campaign opposing the new requirement.
White has previously drawn controversy over public statements appealing to right-wing populist sentiment. Belgium’s foreign minister has summoned him before.
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