In a public park a stone’s throw from the European Commission buildings in Brussels late last month, beer flowed, meat grilled and country music blared as revellers marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The fallout from the event, however, provided signs – if they were needed – that all is not well in America’s relations with its erstwhile European allies.
Just three of the EU’s 27 commissioners and none of its leaders showed up, while authorities were reportedly investigating whether fireworks damaged historic buildings in the park.
Later, US ambassador to Belgium Bill White became embroiled in a media incident that overshadowed any positive coverage the “Freedom 250” event might have garnered.
Two reporters from news start-up The European Correspondent approached White to ask why he had allegedly sent them threatening emails claiming that they had urged American country music outfit Zac Brown Band not to perform at the event.
Soon after, they found themselves “roughly” ejected from the party by Belgian police after White refused their questions. Officers told the journalists they had been described as an “active threat”.
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