European leaders denounce US visa bans as attack on digital sovereignty

Top leaders and institutions across Europe have issued a forceful condemnation of the United States' decision to impose visa restrictions on five European individuals, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. The coordinated response denounces the action as an attack on European sovereignty and an attempt to intimidate officials involved in crafting the bloc's digital rules.

Defense of EU sovereignty and regulatory autonomy

French President Emmanuel Macron called the restrictions an act of "intimidation and coercion" aimed at undermining Europe's digital sovereignty. He and other leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized that the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) was democratically enacted and applies only within the bloc's jurisdiction, without extraterritorial reach. The European Commission warned it would respond "swiftly and decisively" to defend its regulatory autonomy.

Widespread diplomatic backlash across the continent

The criticism was unified and widespread. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul defended the DSA, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas labeled the U.S. decision "unacceptable." Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot rejected sanctions based on "economic frustration," and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated that banning officials for doing their job was "unacceptable" and should be rescinded.

Root of the dispute and US accusations

The dispute stems from visa restrictions announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused the five Europeans of leading organized efforts to coerce online platforms into censoring "American viewpoints." The targeted individuals include executives from the German NGO HateAid, who described the U.S. action as "an act of repression," escalating a transatlantic rift over internet governance and free speech.