EU Condemns US Travel Restrictions Targeting European Citizens

DID Press: European Commission sharply condemned the United States for imposing travel restrictions on five European citizens, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, calling the measure unacceptable and inconsistent with shared democratic principles.

In a statement, the Commission stressed that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a core value the EU and the US claim to uphold globally. The EU, it said, is an open single market governed by clear rules, and retains the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with democratic values and international commitments.

The Commission noted that the bloc’s digital legislation is designed to ensure a safe, fair and competitive environment for all companies operating in the EU, and is enforced “impartially and without discrimination.”

According to the statement, Brussels has requested formal clarification from U.S. authorities and remains in dialogue with Washington. The Commission warned that, if necessary, the EU will act swiftly and decisively to defend its regulatory autonomy against what it described as unjustified American measures.