Brussels, Belgium \u2013 Six Greenpeace Belgium activists unrolled a massive banner in Brussels\u2019s historic Grand Place square, ahead of a celebration of the United States\u2019 250th anniversary in the EU capital. The 600-square-metre banner read \u201cWar. Greed. Energy Crisis. What’s there to celebrate?\u201d condemning using the occasion to promote Trump\u2019s political and corporate agenda.<\/p>\n\n
John Noel, Campaigner, Greenpeace International said: <\/strong>\u201cRead the room: this lavish celebration is utterly misplaced. Trump is waging war, threatening allies and adversaries alike, and driving economic disruption across the globe \u2013 what\u2019s to celebrate? While EU leaders seem to have made excuses to dodge this party, it\u2019s also time that they stood up to Trump\u2019s bullying too and make sure the EU protects people and planet instead of billionaires\u2019 profits.\u201d Joeri Thijs, Campaigner, Greenpeace Belgium added from the protest: <\/strong>\u201cIt is shameful that Belgian authorities are rolling out the red carpet for this administration in the heart of Europe, while US policies are wreaking havoc worldwide.While Belgium and the EU are finally weaning themselves off fossil gas from Putin\u2019s Russia, we are rapidly increasing our dangerous dependence on fracked gas imported from the US. At the same time, Trump is actively pushing to weaken EU environmental safeguards. Continuing to coddle this administration severely jeopardises both the EU\u2019s climate ambitions and its independence from bullies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n US officials are hosting a celebration in the nearby Parc du Cinquantenaire in the EU quarter later the same day, with thousands of political, diplomatic and corporate representatives on the guest list. The Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte are reportedly attending, though high-profile invitees from the EU institutions such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declined to say they would attend.[2]<\/p>\n\n ENDS<\/p>\n\n Photos and video available free to use in the Greenpeace Media Library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n [1] US demands EU dismantle green regulations in threat to trade deal<\/a> (Financial Times)<\/p>\n\n [2] Who dares snub Trump\u2019s party | Euractiv<\/a> (Euractiv)<\/p>\n\n Contacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Greenpeace Belgium press desk : +32 (0)496 26 31 91, bpress@greenpeace.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n
The celebration in Brussels takes place against a backdrop of intensifying global instability driven by the White House. Greenpeace Belgium warns that Trump\u2019s erratic foreign policy and ‘energy dominance’ agenda are fueling conflict, worsening the global energy crisis, and weakening international cooperation. By pairing aggressive trade maneuvers with the dismantling of democratic institutions and environmental protections, Trump\u2019s administration is leaving a trail of economic and ecological disruption worldwide.[1]<\/p>\n\n