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The prohibition imposed by the Donald Trump Administration on five European citizens, accused of promoting the censorship of American voices on social media, has triggered a wave of rejection in Europe and has opened a new front of tension between Washington and its traditional allies.
France, Germany, the European Union, and the United Kingdom agreed to describe the measure as “unacceptable,” as it undermines transatlantic cooperation and questions European regulatory sovereignty in the digital realm, according to the agency AP.
Among those sanctioned is Thierry Breton, former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, a key figure in the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as Imran Ahmed, director of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, and other leaders of European organizations dedicated to combating misinformation and hate speech, reported EFE.
Defense of European sovereignty
The French president Emmanuel Macron reacted immediately, stating that Europe will not yield to external pressures. “We will stand firm and protect Europeans,” he wrote on X, after speaking with Breton.
Macron emphasized that the EU's digital regulations were adopted through a "democratic and sovereign" process and warned that the rules governing the European digital space will not be decided outside of Europe.
In the same vein, the European Commission defended its right to regulate the digital market according to its democratic values. "The EU is an open market based on rules. Our laws ensure a safe, fair, and equitable environment, applied without discrimination," it stated in an official statement.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, also condemned the U.S. veto, describing it as "unacceptable among allies, partners, and friends." He stated that the EU will continue to defend freedom of expression, fair digital standards, and its regulatory sovereignty.
Germany and the United Kingdom raise the tone
From Berlin, the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, described the entry ban— including that imposed on leaders of the organization HateAid— as “unacceptable” and indicated that Germany will discuss with Washington the interpretation of European digital regulations to prevent further deterioration of the bilateral relationship.
The UK government adopted a more moderate tone but supported the laws and institutions aimed at keeping the internet free from harmful content, while also reminding that each country has the right to set its own immigration rules.
An expanding conflict
The diplomatic crisis arises after the €130 million fine imposed by the European Commission on the social network X, owned by Elon Musk, for violations of the Digital Services Act. Washington views these regulations as a form of censorship, while Brussels insists that they are aimed at ensuring transparency, safety, and fair competition.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, justified the veto by stating that the sanctioned Europeans promoted extraterritorial censorship campaigns with “potentially serious consequences” for U.S. foreign policy, a stance that Brussels categorically rejects.
Thierry Breton responded by recalling that the Digital Services Act was approved by the 27 EU member states in 2022. “To our American friends: censorship is not where you think it is,” he wrote.
The confrontation highlights a growing rift between the United States and Europe regarding who should regulate online speech and the extent of digital sovereignty, a debate that risks escalating beyond the technological realm into a broader political conflict.
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