Rabat – The European Union condemned today what it described as “unjustified” US sanctions against five European officials, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
On Tuesday, the US administration announced entry bans for the five EU figures for advocating strict tech regulation.
“The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” Secretary Marco Rubio said in a statement.
In response, the EU Commission condemned the decision, urging the US authorities for clarification.
“If necessary, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures,” the EU said.
Breton is behind the EU’s Digital Services Act, a mechanism that requires platforms to meet a set of obligations.
However, the US has long considered the measures as an infringement on freedom of expression and a form of censorship.
France President Emmanuel Macron condemned the sanctions in a post on X, saying they amount to “intimidation and coercion against European digital sovereignty.”
“The European Union’s digital regulations were adopted following a democratic and sovereign process by the European Parliament and the Council,” Macron said, explaining that the measures are designed to ensure fair competition between platforms without targeting a third country.
“The rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe,” Macron noted, stressing that he and the EU partners will continue to defend digital sovereignty and regulatory autonomy.