Thursday

1st Jun 2023

Protest in EU capital prompts security scare at US embassy

  • Anti-austerity and anti-globalisation protesters caused a security scare when some people threw stones and firecrackers (Photo: Maebh McMahon)

Stone-throwing protesters prompted a “lock-down” at the US embassy to the EU in Brussels on Friday (4 April), as the US ambassador briefed press on the merits of free trade.

The rally saw between 25,000 and 50,000 people, mostly from Belgian trade unions, march past the US mission toward the EU district, where leaders gave speeches before the crowd melted away.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • Michael Froman, US trade chief (l), Gardner, and EU foreign relations chief Catherine Ashton in Brussels last week (Photo: ec.europa.eu)

Protesters aired a mixed bag of grievances. One man told EUobserver he is against “austerity.” A second one said he is against “wage dumping”.

People also voiced anger at multinationals and globalisation. Some placards said: “Europe: owned by wolves, governed by dogs.” Others said: “EU yes, TTIP no” - referring to the acronym of a draft EU-US free trade treaty.

A few people threw stones and firecrackers at the US embassy as they passed by. They also threw stones at the EU external relations building and a perfume shop.

Belgian police used water cannons, while security staff at the US mission ordered staff to stay inside and to keep away from windows in what they called a “lock-down.”

It was the first time they did it since anti-Iraq war protests in 2003, despite the small scale of the violence.

The scare came toward the end of a press briefing by the new US ambassador to the EU, Anthony Luzzatto Gardner, the former director of a London-based private equity firm, Palamon Capital Partners.

Gardner had called in the media to highlight his priorities after taking up the post on 18 March.

He said his main task will be to shepherd progress on TTIP.

As the protesters approached, he said: “I am worried about some of the narratives that are gaining ground in some [EU] member states, many of which are based on misinformation.”

He said he has a “stack” of studies on his desk which say TTIP will promote jobs and economic growth. He listed as fallacies claims that big business will reap all the benefits, that TTIP will undermine consumer protection, and that the negotiations are unduly secretive.

He also promised to play an active public role.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people like Mr Bove … I am not going to be on the back foot. I’m looking forward to this,” he said, referring to Jose Bove, a French MEP and anti-globalisation activist, shortly before security staff ushered the US ambassador upstairs.

Gardner also noted he will be “spending a lot of time” in the European Parliament, which must ratify the free-trade deal.

With pollsters predicting gains for far-right and far-left populists in the May elections, he added: “One thing that gives me hope is that the fringe groups have very little in common and I don’t think they’ll be that effective.”

He said his other priority will be US-EU diplomacy on the Ukraine crisis.

Repeating the message of last week’s US-EU summit, he noted that EU sanctions on Russian officials complement US measures. “It’s the beginning of the story [the crisis], but so far we are satisfied with the extent of [EU] co-operation we have seen.”

He accused Russian gas firm Gazprom of exerting undue pressure on Ukraine and on EU states. “Let’s be clear: Gazprom has been using energy as a weapon,” he said.

He also said the US is willing to share technological and regulatory know-how on shale gas to help EU countries reduce Russian dependence.

In a personal insight, he told an anecdote about his wedding to explain how he will operate in EU circles.

He said he and his wife had wanted to marry in a deconsecrated former synagogue and church in the Spanish town of Toledo, but the archbishop said No.

Gardner tried to use contacts at the US embassy in Spain to talk to Spanish authorities and even to the royal family. But none of it worked. The breakthrough came when someone overheard him at a party and said he knew the archbishop’s dentist. Wheels were set in motion, and following the prelate’s next dental appointment, he changed is mind.

“It’s not always how far up the chain you go, it’s knowing the right people who, at the right time, can get the right result,” Gardner said.

“I want to know the dentists in Brussels. I want to know the influencers,” he added.

ECB: eurozone home prices could see 'disorderly' fall

The European Central Bank in its Financial Stability Review warned EU home prices could see a 'disorderly' fall as high mortgage rates are making houses unaffordable for households and unattractive for investors.

Adapting to Southern Europe's 'new normal' — from droughts to floods

Extreme weather events in recent months have worsened agricultural production in southern Europe, prompting concerns for authorities in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. As countries will likely face dryer conditions, experts urge adaptation measures for the 'new normal'.

PFAS 'forever chemicals' cost society €16 trillion a year

Researchers found that global societal costs of the so-called forever chemicals or PFAS amount to €16 trillion per year. Meanwhile, the bigger producers of these chemicals are also among the ones spending the most to lobby EU policies.

EU: national energy price-spike measures should end this year

"If energy prices increase again and support cannot be fully discontinued, targeted policies to support vulnerable households and companies — rather than wide and less effective support policies — will remain crucial," the commission said in its assessment.

Opinion

EU export credits insure decades of fossil-fuel in Mozambique

European governments are phasing out fossil fuels at home, but continuing their financial support for fossil mega-projects abroad. This is despite the EU agreeing last year to decarbonise export credits — insurance on risky non-EU projects provided with public money.

Latest News

  1. Europe's TV union wooing Lavrov for splashy interview
  2. ECB: eurozone home prices could see 'disorderly' fall
  3. Adapting to Southern Europe's 'new normal' — from droughts to floods
  4. Want to stop forced migration from West Africa? Start by banning bottom trawling
  5. Germany unsure if Orbán fit to be 'EU president'
  6. EU Parliament chief given report on MEP abuse 30 weeks before sanction
  7. EU clashes over protection of workers exposed to asbestos
  8. EU to blacklist nine Russians over jailing of dissident

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  2. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  3. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
  6. EFBWWEFBWW calls for the EC to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. InformaConnecting Expert Industry-Leaders, Top Suppliers, and Inquiring Buyers all in one space - visit Battery Show Europe.
  2. EFBWWEFBWW and FIEC do not agree to any exemptions to mandatory prior notifications in construction
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic and Baltic ways to prevent gender-based violence
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCSW67: Economic gender equality now! Nordic ways to close the pension gap
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersCSW67: Pushing back the push-back - Nordic solutions to online gender-based violence
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersCSW67: The Nordics are ready to push for gender equality

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us