Brussels, 24 June 2024(TDI): US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass travelled to Belgium on Monday and conducted a series of meetings with EU, NATO, and Belgian counterparts.
According to a statement revealed by the State Department, the primary aim was to ensure commitment to continuing support for Ukraine and leverage Russia’s assets.
The Under Secretary of State John Bass held a meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of the European Union, Charles Fries, on Monday in Brussels to discuss the transatlantic security issues faced by many European countries, particularly the cyber attack of Russia in many European countries, spokesperson Matthew Miller revealed.
Both leaders highlighted the need for a joint effort to ramp up the defence industries in the region, which would ease countries’ reliance on Russia’s defence industries.
According to John Bass, they are also committed to providing unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.
Under Secretary of State John Bass also met with Gentzis, the Secretary General of Belgium’s foreign ministry, to discuss bolstering coordination between the United States and Belgium.
Both leaders negotiated on supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a cease-fire in Gaza and highlighting the upcoming NATO summit in July.
Moreover, the Deputy Secretary thanked Belgium’s counterparts for advocating the Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
The Belgian-US trade and investment relationship is one of the largest and most balanced in the world, with annual trade in goods and services of around $74 billion each year.
Furthermore, the United States is Belgium’s largest foreign investor outside the EU, with over 900 US businesses employing nearly 130,000 people in Belgium. Belgium is the fourteenth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States, with $71 billion in total stock.
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In addition, over 500 Belgian companies employ about 70,000 American workers, and Belgium is the world’s fourteenth-largest importer of US goods.
Belgian-US research partnerships are driving advancements in biotechnology, semiconductors, and other future-forward sectors.
