US vice-president to visit Brussels for talks
Mike Pence will travel to Belgium to meet government and Nato representatives, with the aim of strengthening transatlantic ties
First official visit
Pence’s visit is also likely aimed at calming concerns in Europe about remarks made by Donald Trump during the election campaign last year about the US withdrawing funding from Nato. Trump’s relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin is also cause for concern.
This will be the Trump administration's first official visit to Belgium. Trump, meanwhile, has accepted an invitation to visit the UK later in the year, leading to protests and a petition calling for the invitation to be rescinded.
The US president is also be expected to attend a Nato summit in May in Brussels, but that may not take place if the new headquarters of the organisation are not ready in time.
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia
