US sanctions on Thierry Breton, European anger. Macron: intimidation. Brussels: we can respond

"The EU condemns the travel restrictions imposed by the United States on European citizens and officials. Such measures are unacceptable among allies, partners and friends," European Council President made known via a post on X by European Council President Antonio Costa. He added: "The EU remains firm in the defence of freedom of expression, fair digital standards and its own regulatory sovereignty.

This was also the case for Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, on X: 'Imposing a travel ban on former European Commissioner Thierry Breton for his work as a European Commissioner, as well as on others, is unacceptable'. And then: 'On behalf of the European Parliament, I call for this measure to be quickly lifted,' he added.

The President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron called the bans an "intimidation and coercion" against European "digital sovereignty", claiming that EU rules are the result of a "democratic and sovereign" process and that Europe's digital space should not be decided outside Europe.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French RepublicJean-Noël Barrot condemned the US choice and reiterated that the peoples of Europe 'cannot let' others impose the rules of their digital space, insisting that the Dsa has no extraterritorial reach.

From Berlin, the Ministry of Justice spoke of 'unacceptable' measures, offering 'support and solidarity' to the affected HateAid executives and disputing the equation between enforcement and censorship: 'the rules' of European digital 'are not decided in Washington'.

Also in Germany, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul called the bans 'not acceptable' and emphasised that the DSA was adopted 'for the EU' and 'has no extraterritorial effect'.

Even Spain, despite not having citizens affected by the measures like France and Germany, condemns the "unacceptable" sanctions against five European citizens and officials. "A secure digital space, free from illegal content and disinformation, is a fundamental value for democracy in Europe and everyone's responsibility," reads a note from the Spanish Foreign Ministry, which calls the measures between partners and allies "unacceptable".

Among those involved, Thierry Breton spoke of a McCarthyist-style 'witch hunt' and recalled that the DSA was voted in by a very large majority of the European Parliament and all 27 member states.

HateAid (Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg) read the visas as anattempt to hinder the application of European law to US companies operating in Europe, adding that they will not be 'intimidated' by accusations of censorship being used to silence those defending rights and freedom of expression.

The Global Disinformation Index called the decision 'immoral, illegal and un-American' and an 'authoritarian attack' on free speech, accusing the administration of using the state to intimidate and silence unwelcome voices.

On the British political side, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, publicly responded to Sarah Rogers by arguing that the White House line, made explicit in the strategy documents cited in the debate, amounts to 'foreign interference' because it aims to 'cultivate resistance' in European countries, triggering a backlash on social media.

In the European Parliament, MEP Dennis Radtke (Cdu) challenged the 'pro-free speech' reading of Trump supporters in Europe, asking where an opinion would be suppressed and denouncing a double standard with respect to China and Russia.

Among the five affected, the Centre for Countering Digital Hate is currently without a direct public statement by its CEO Imran Ahmed.

But there are also those who support the US-made choice. "Unlike Europe, which is incapable of defending itself and its citizens, the US decides to make rules by deciding who to let in and who not. We are proud to be the only party to have voted against the Digital Services Act wanted by a handful of Brussels bureaucrats and which is the antechamber to censorship, a real European gag law". This is what is stated in a note by the Lega.

Of a different opinion Benedetto Della Vedova, deputy of +Europa, who entrusts his reaction to X. "The decision to deny former EU commissioner Thierry Breton an entry visa to the US, arrogantly claimed by Secretary of State Rubio, is confirmation of what has already been visible to the naked eye for some time, namely of the path taken by Trump's US towards an obtuse authoritarianism that we thankfully know is reversible. Hostility instead of cooperation between the two sides of the Atlantic is bad for everyone. To Breton, in addition to solidarity, we express our gratitude for his work in defending European trade, digital and communication law. Go Europe!".

"The affair of the denial of a visa to former European Commissioner Breton by the United States represents a qualitative leap in the negative in relations between the US and Europe and confirms, if there was any need, that Trump has decided to behave as an enemy of the European Union. From this point of view, it is worrying that the League, the second largest party in government, takes a position in favour of Trumps choice. Prime Minister Meloni and Foreign Minister Tajani should, as soon as possible, distance themselves from Salvini's party, which isolates Italy in the EU, and condemn the choice of the American president that distances Europe and the United States even more". This was stated by the secretary of +Europa Riccardo Magi.