The European Commission expressed strong condemnation towards the US decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton. The Commission emphasized its commitment to defending the bloc’s regulatory autonomy swiftly and decisively if necessary. It highlighted the importance of freedom of expression as a fundamental right shared between Europe and the United States.
The European Union, described as an open, rules-based single market, asserted its sovereign right to regulate economic activities in alignment with democratic values and international commitments. The Commission clarified that its digital rules aim to create a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies, ensuring non-discriminatory application. It also mentioned seeking clarifications from US authorities while staying engaged in the matter.
In response to the US State Department’s visa restrictions on the five individuals from the EU and Britain, including Thierry Breton, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the measures as intimidation and coercion targeting European digital sovereignty. Macron condemned the restrictions, emphasizing that the EU’s digital regulations were established democratically to ensure fair competition among platforms within Europe and to maintain regulatory autonomy in the digital space.
