ISTANBUL

The US ambassador to Belgium avoided reporters’ questions on Tuesday following a meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, as a diplomatic dispute between Washington and senior Belgian politicians deepened, according to local media.

“I had a wonderful conversation with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister (and Foreign Minister Prevot),” Ambassador Bill White said after the talks, highlighting what he described as the strong friendship between Belgium and the US, as well as economic cooperation and shared culture, VRT news reported.

“We're on the right track,” he added, repeatedly expressing appreciation for Prevot and his “will to tackle antisemitism.”

As he left the building, however, White declined to answer questions from reporters, including whether Flemish socialist party Vooruit's chairman Conner Rousseau is still welcome in the US.

The ambassador had previously stated on social media that Rousseau was banned from entering the country, which came after Rousseau's remarks comparing US President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.

On Saturday, Prevot condemned the reported travel ban, saying it was unacceptable for a member of parliament and party leader to be denied entry for exercising freedom of speech.

He confirmed that Belgium's Foreign Ministry would seek clarification from US authorities while calling for de-escalation.

White confirmed that Rousseau’s recent remarks comparing Trump to a historical figure responsible for the killing of 8 million Jews were discussed during the hour-long meeting.

“We've discussed how it's inappropriate to compare the president of the United States to someone who killed 8 million Jews,” he said.

The row began last week when White described a judicial investigation into religious circumcisions in Antwerp, Belgium, as "antisemitic" and called on the Belgian government to intervene.

The dispute escalated after White posted, and later deleted, a message on Instagram criticizing Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke and Rousseau.

In the post, White referred to the 1990s Agusta corruption scandal and alleged that Vandenbroucke had suggested burning illegal party funds at the time. Vandenbroucke has consistently denied any wrongdoing and was never prosecuted in the case.

White also described both politicians as “fallen figures” and previously announced that Rousseau would no longer be permitted to travel to the US following the Belgian lawmaker’s criticism of political developments in America.

Meanwhile, after meeting with White, Prevot reiterated that Belgium's judiciary is independent and impartial, emphasizing that its work should not be subject to political or diplomatic interference, broadcaster VRT reported.

In a written statement released after the meeting, Prevot's office said the foreign minister also expressed his disapproval of earlier comments made by White about Belgian Vooruit politicians Rousseau and Vandenbroucke, the report noted.

"The ambassador acknowledged that aggressive ad personam attacks were inappropriate," the statement said.

He stressed the importance of moving beyond the row. "It's time to put an end to all the ad hominem attacks on both sides and work to strengthen our partnerships in a spirit of constructive and respectful cooperation between partners," he said.

Prevot added that White indicated that he will drop plans to impose travel restrictions against Rousseau, according to the report.

*Melike Pala in Brussels contributed to this report