Bloomberg Talks: US Ambassador to Belgium Talks NATO, Greenland
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Bill White, U.S. Ambassador to Belgium
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode explores the state of U.S.-Belgian relations against a turbulent transatlantic backdrop, covering recent strains due to U.S. trade policy, NATO, and the contentious Greenland issue. Ambassador Bill White discusses ongoing trade deals, military cooperation, and the future of Europe–U.S. relations under President Trump, offering candid insights into diplomacy, defense, and transatlantic alliances.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
U.S.–Belgium Economic Relations and Trade (00:51–02:26)
- Ambassador White emphasizes robust trade ties, downplaying political turbulence:
- Recent significant investments: Agristo’s billion-dollar operation in America; Google and Amazon’s $6B investment in Belgium.
- Ongoing $30B in deals from Belgium to the U.S., supported by high-level diplomatic missions, e.g., Princess Astrid’s trade delegation.
- Ambassador’s approach: “I try to stay away from the noise...those are not affecting the deals that we are working on.” [Bill White, 01:24]
- A major $50B LNG deal is underway, part of a broader compulsory $750B European energy import agreement.
Greenland's Strategic Importance and U.S.–Denmark Relations (02:26–04:06)
- Trump Administration’s focus on Greenland’s security; historic context and current urgency.
- Meetings between U.S. and Danish leadership, collaboration with Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted.
- Alert about potential threats from “Chinese, Russian nuclear submarines and anything else”—implying undisclosed security issues too sensitive for public discussion.
- “The strategic military importance of Greenland cannot be underestimated.” [Bill White, 02:58]
- Hope for a stable, productive framework between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland to maintain NATO/European/North Atlantic security.
NATO: Strengthening or Undermining? (04:06–06:22)
- European apprehension about U.S. motives, some speculating about a NATO crisis or even its end.
- White staunchly defends Trump’s record: “President Trump is the greatest supporter that NATO has ever known and will ever know. He is the only person who helped to save NATO...” [Bill White, 04:50]
- Claims Trump’s push on burden sharing resulted in allies agreeing to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
- Economic benefits for Europe framed as jobs and stimulus from increased defense spending.
- Suggests Europe’s overregulation and economic stagnation preceded these U.S. policy changes.
Transatlantic Relationship: Damage or Renewal? (06:22–07:55)
- Host questions the cost to U.S.–EU relations.
- White: Challenges are necessary for healthy alliances; the old approach was “not a good situation for Europe.”
- Observations on cultural and economic differences, pokes at European bureaucracy (“manifestation” for protest, “simplification” for deregulation).
- Links Trump’s election and agenda to broader structural reforms, suggesting European business leaders agree: “A lot of people I talk to here in Belgium would like a change as well.” [Bill White, 07:47]
Defense Industry: U.S. vs. European Suppliers (07:55–10:05)
- Discussion of Belgium’s significant purchases of U.S. defense material (F-35 jets, Patriot missiles).
- EU programs and guidelines to favor European firms, but U.S. still winning contracts—“There is a provision... that a certain percentage would be allotted to US Companies.” [Bill White, 08:34]
- White highlights “co-produce and collaborate” approach, with F-35 production partially located in Belgium, Italy, and partnerships with Sweden, Germany, and the UK.
- Prefers cooperation and value proposition over rivalry.
Belgium as a U.S. Partner at EU Level; Russian Sovereign Assets (10:05–End)
- Belgium’s strong alignment with the U.S. on “so many more things than we may be deciding to.”
- White credits President Trump with securing Russian assets in Belgium (Euroclear) as leverage for negotiations, praising Prime Minister Bart De Waver for resisting EU pressure.
- Risks of disrupting this system: “If you have a clearinghouse that clears $45 trillion dollars a year. You cannot mess with that system. And the uncertainty and instability of taking that money out would have been catastrophic.” [Bill White, 10:55]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On 'noise' in policy debates:
“What I try to do is to stay away from the noise, as I call it. There are obviously some things we can talk about US Policy...but those are not affecting the deals that we are working on.”
— Bill White, 01:25 -
On Greenland’s military significance:
“The strategic military importance of Greenland cannot be underestimated. It is not good for you and me...for Chinese, Russian nuclear submarines and anything else that could threaten the security of the United States, NATO and Europe to be traveling free and clear through that area whenever they please.”
— Bill White, 02:58 -
On NATO and Trump:
“President Trump is the greatest supporter that NATO has ever known and will ever know. He is the only person who helped to save NATO...He has raised over half a trillion dollars by pushing.”
— Bill White, 04:50 -
On U.S.–Europe relationship:
“People should be viewing the relationship as a strong one, as one that challenges each other.”
— Bill White, 06:34 -
On defense industry partnerships:
“We are partnering with Swedish and German and British interests on military defense. So I like to focus where we can cooperate than where we can disagree.”
— Bill White, 09:49 -
On safeguarding financial infrastructure:
“If you have a clearinghouse that clears $45 trillion dollars a year. You cannot mess with that system. And the uncertainty and instability of taking that money out would have been catastrophic.”
— Bill White, 10:55
Timeline of Important Segments
- 00:51–02:26: U.S.–Belgium trade relations and key deals
- 02:26–04:06: U.S. policy on Greenland; Trump–Denmark relations
- 04:06–06:22: NATO under Trump; European spending and alliance health
- 06:22–07:55: State of transatlantic relations; economic reforms
- 07:55–10:05: Defense procurement debate; U.S.–European cooperation
- 10:05–End: Belgium’s role at EU level; safeguarding Russian assets for negotiations
Tone and Style
Bill White’s style is candid, unapologetic, and pro-business, with strong support for Trump’s policies. He downplays controversy as “noise,” focuses on pragmatic outcomes, and repeatedly frames U.S. actions as ultimately benefiting both Europe and America. The conversation is direct with frequent humor and cultural observations.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
This episode offers an inside look at U.S. diplomacy in Europe during a time of shifting alliances and political turbulence. Ambassador White provides reassurance on core U.S.–Belgium interests, staunchly defends the Trump administration’s foreign and economic policies, and shares behind-the-scenes perspectives on controversial issues like Greenland and NATO. The episode is particularly insightful for understanding the nuanced dynamics of transatlantic relations amidst global uncertainty.