00:04In the middle of a complicated dialogue between the EU and the US, Americans celebrated the
00:09250th anniversary of independence with their European allies at a lavish event in Brussels
00:14on Sunday, hosted by the US Ambassador Bill White.
00:19Situated directly adjacent to the core European Union institutions in the city, Parc du Saint-Cantinère
00:25drew nearly 10,000 invited guests, including numerous American military personnel stationed
00:30across the Belgian capital.
00:35The high-profile gathering featured traditional American cultural activities, a ceremonial
00:40military flyover, and addresses from key Western leaders aimed at reinforcing ties amid a complex
00:46transatlantic dialogue.
00:48United States President Donald Trump opened the political tributes via a recorded video
00:52broadcast, emphasizing the profound historical sacrifices shared between the two nations.
00:59We have defended our common civilization, from the trenches of World War I to the free Belgian
01:07forces who fought alongside Americans in World War II.
01:11More than 14,000 American soldiers rest for eternity in Belgian soil and remind us all of
01:19what it takes to preserve the freedom that we so joyfully celebrate this year.
01:24Following the presidential address, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte took the podium to reflect on
01:29the enduring geopolitical and symbolic nature of the American Republic for the wider Western
01:34alliance.
01:35Donald Reagan called the shining city upon a hill.
01:40I'm not American.
01:42I'm Dutch.
01:43But for me and for countless others, that's what America is and has always been.
01:49A beacon.
01:51A guide.
01:52European Parliament President Roberto Metzola then praised the grand scale of the diplomatic
01:56event, turning directly to US Ambassador Bill White to highlight the strength of the historic
02:01relationship.
02:02We're here to celebrate a transatlantic relationship and friendship that has created history's
02:11best of times and stood solid through the worst of times.
02:17There's a great American expression, go big or go home, and tonight you certainly lived
02:24up to that.
02:25To fund the expansive operations, Ambassador White revealed he had successfully raised more
02:30than 5 million dollars from over 220 private donors, including major American multinationals
02:36like Meta and Microsoft alongside prominent Belgian firms.
02:41The immediate venue was placed under heavy security measures, which prompted some localized
02:46protests from residents over park closures and demonstrations by environmental groups outside
02:51the secure perimeter.
02:53Ambassador White dismissed any wider media speculation regarding deep political friction between Washington
02:58and Brussels, pointing instead to the longstanding cultural and economic cooperation.
03:04The full day of transatlantic festivities drew to a close late Sunday evening, culminating
03:09in a spectacular choreographed drone and fireworks show over the Capitol.
03:12.
03:14I don't care
03:17.
03:20Transcription by CastingWords
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