US Ambassador to Belgium summoned over mocking health minister's alcohol warning

US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White is set to be summoned for discussions with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot following his public criticism of a national health warning regarding alcohol consumption.

White engaged in online criticism of the Belgian health ministry's campaign, which states "Alcohol harms health." He shared an image of Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke with the caption, "Harmful to every form of joy," and added, "Who is the biggest loser in Belgium?"

Foreign Minister Prévot deemed it "unbearable" for an ambassador accredited to Belgium to attack a member of the government in such a manner. In defense of the Health Minister, Conner Rousseau, president of the Vooruit party, commented on Instagram that while Ambassador White might be likable, he lacks understanding of healthcare matters. Rousseau suggested White is merely following directives from "daddy Trump," implying a focus on financial interests over public health.