US Embassy Brussels

05/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Statement on Prime Minister De Wever’s Counternarcotics Leadership

The United States gratefully acknowledges and thanks Prime Minister De Wever’s unwavering focus on counternarcotics since taking office. His leadership has sharpened Belgium’s resolve to confront trafficking at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and beyond, and the results speak for themselves.

Rising interdiction numbers are not a sign of a growing problem — they are proof of growing capability, coordination, and courage on the part of Belgian authorities. Every seizure represents lives protected and networks disrupted, and the United States is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Belgian partners in that fight.

This is one of the most productive security partnerships we have anywhere in the world, built on the daily dedication of Belgian law enforcement, customs, and judicial authorities. We look forward to deepening this cooperation in the months ahead, making not only the Port of Antwerp-Bruges but the United States and Belgium safer, stronger, and more prosperous together.

04/09/2026

AMBASSADOR'S WEEKLY WRAP-UP
Another great week for U.S.-Belgium friendship! 🇺🇸🇧🇪
▪️ Spent Sunday with Bryan immersed in top-tier show jumping at the Brussels Stephex Masters, sharing the experience with CEO Stephan Conter and congratulating champion Richard Vogel on his win. 🐴
▪️Toured the state-of-the-art Equitom and Equine Care Group campus with Dr. Tom Mariën to see how their expanding U.S. footprint is knitting together veterinary expertise on both sides of the Atlantic. 🌍🐎
▪️ Sat down with the Messika family to trace their journey from raw stone to global brand. 💎
▪️ Joined Mayor Kristof Chanterie at the historic race Waregem Koerse at Gaverbeek Hippodrome—congrats to jockey Christophe Soumillon on his UAE President Cup win! 🐎 🇧🇪🇺🇸

Stephex Masters
Stephan Conter- Stephex
Richard Vogel
Equitom
Waregem Koerse
Kristof Chanterie

03/09/2026

Ambassador Bill White: “Welcome home to the Belgian Sport2Be Youth Delegation from the FIFA World Cup Boston Festival 26! ⚽🇺🇸

I was delighted to meet these beautiful young people from Molenbeek and told them that they are their country’s future. I was so happy to see their involvement in sports and how much they understood that school is important to their future success.

Watching these young leaders compete, connect, and grow reminds us why sports diplomacy matters. Discipline, teamwork, determination. These are the values that build strong individuals—and strong nations.

Grateful to partners like Visa for investing in our youth, and to Sport2Be for turning the power of sports into real pathways for success.”
🌍🏆

03/09/2026

Ambassador Bill White: "Visited the Messika family in Antwerp and had the opportunity to learn more about their remarkable family enterprise in the diamond world — spanning generations and the entire value chain, from diamonds and craftsmanship to the internationally renowned Messika jewelry brand.

It was fascinating to hear the story of André Messika and the remarkable foundation he built over decades in the diamond industry — a heritage that his children are now carrying forward and expanding into new markets and new areas of the business. I was also privileged to view an exceptional colored stone of extraordinary rarity and provenance. I was particularly impressed to learn about the family’s commitment to employing people with disabilities within their diamond manufacturing operations — another meaningful example of the positive impact the diamond industry can have on its communities and stakeholders.

It was also interesting to hear about the family’s strong commitment to the United States and their ambition to continue investing in and expanding their U.S. presence across both diamonds and jewelry retail. It was a pleasure to meet the family and gain a deeper understanding of the diamond industry through the eyes of a family that has been part of its story for generations.

Thank you Andre, Ben, Ilan, and Barak."

02/09/2026

Ambassador Bill White: “I was so honored to be invited by my friend Kristof Chanterie who with his amazing team is doing a great job as Mayor of Waregem. What a thrill to attend Waregem Koerse at the historic Gaverbeek Hippodrome! 🐎 Great to see Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, Erik Saelens, and so many other friends to experience the energy, tradition, and sheer skill on display. Waregem Koerse easily rivaled what we see at America's own Kentucky Derby — proof that our two nations share a deep love for this sport. Congratulations to jockey Christophe Soumillion for winning the UAE President Cup. It was a pleasure to enjoy a beautiful CIGAR and a BEER with my good friend Jean Vande Vyvere and his great friends from Waregem. Grateful for the warm Belgian hospitality!” 🇧🇪🇺🇸

Waregem Koerse
Erik Saelens
Kristof Chanterie

02/09/2026

Ambassador Bill White: "Wonderful to visit Equitom and the Equine Care Group headquarters in Lummen, Belgium, where Bryan and I were warmly welcomed by Dr. Tom Mariën for a tour of their impressive facility. 🐴🇧🇪
We joined ECG's shareholders and management team to discuss their U.S. growth strategy — including their April expansion into Texas through a partnership with Salado Equine Medical Center. This partnership is accelerating cross-border collaboration and innovation while building a truly transatlantic, veterinarian-led network. 🌍🐎
The Embassy is proud to support this growth through the U.S. Department of Commerce's program — helping companies like ECG navigate regulatory pathways and connect with economic development authorities as they scale in the U.S. market.

Here's to more transatlantic collaboration ahead!" 🇺🇸🇧🇪

Equitom Salado Equine Medical Center U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration

01/09/2026

Ambassador Bill White: "Huge honor to attend the Brussels Stephex Masters on Sunday in the company of its CEO Stephan Conter and meet this year's winner, Richard Vogel. An incredible showcase of world-class equestrian talent! 🏇

Bryan and I were so happy to meet so many people that came to say hello and thank us for the good work we are doing in Belgium. We were also relieved to hear that Stephan’s daughter Emily is doing well after a fall."

31/08/2026

Press Release: Statement from Ambassador Bill White’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and I had a very frank conversation. We reiterated our shared goals of making U.S. and Belgium stronger, more secure, and more prosperous together. As U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, I look forward to continuing the important work to promote President Trump’s foreign policy agenda with my Belgian counterparts. I promised Minister Prévot that I would refrain from making derogatory statements targeting Belgian officials and would direct those complaints to the government directly as a first course of action. We agreed to work together to address those concerns when they arise.

We also discussed opportunities for the United States to support Belgium’s energy security through multi-billion dollar projects involving U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas and civil nuclear expertise, Belgium’s potential participation in the Department of Homeland Security’s Global Entry Program, expanding bilateral defense co-production that creates jobs and investment in both our countries, the upcoming visit to Belgium of three remarkable American centenarian WWII veterans, planning for our new Embassy compound, and ways to address longstanding bilateral issues. Working together we will achieve great things for the United States and for Belgium.

🔗

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28/08/2026

Ambassador Bill White: “Met yesterday with U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby for a productive discussion on Europe’s security while he was visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels. We had a great conversation about how NATO member states like Belgium can play a larger role in in Europe's conventional defense. Belgium is continuing to do great work by increasing its defense spending as it works toward achieving NATO's defense spending goal of 5% of GDP.”

27/08/2026

Ambassador Bill White: "After speaking with all parties, I am pleased to see that Ghent University and Nathan Cofnas have amicably reached an agreement to lift Mr. Cofnas' suspension, which will enable him to complete his one-year postdoctoral appointment. I look forward to working with Ghent University rector Petra De Sutter to continue the relationship between the university and the United States. I am grateful for her willingness to listen to voices calling for protecting academic freedom."