Washington, DC – Relations between the European Union and the United States have escalated sharply following Washington’s announcement of visa restrictions. The sanctions targeted several European officials, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, in a move Brussels viewed as an infringement on its digital sovereignty and an attempt at political pressure.
- European reactions
- Background of the crisis
- The crisis comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding European technology regulation and digital laws, particularly after the European Union adopted legislation such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict standards on technology companies. Washington has sometimes viewed this as encroaching on its economic and political interests.
The decision came after accusations that the targeted individuals were attempting to censor American technology companies. Washington deemed this a threat to digital freedom of expression within the United States.
European reactions
The European Commission described the decision as an unjustified move between strategic allies. The Commission demanded urgent clarification from Washington and affirmed the EU’s readiness to take defensive measures if necessary.
France, Germany, and other European countries expressed concern about the repercussions of the decision on transatlantic cooperation in trade and cybersecurity. France and Germany believe these sanctions could open the door to future retaliatory measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the sanctions as political intimidation and an attempt to pressure Europe into submitting to American standards.
American justifications
Washington asserted that the sanctions target individuals who have attempted to interfere in US digital policies. It maintained that some European measures constitute efforts to censor American social media platforms, emphasizing that the decision does not reflect a stance against the European Union as a whole.
Background of the crisis
The crisis comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding European technology regulation and digital laws, particularly after the European Union adopted legislation such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict standards on technology companies. Washington has sometimes viewed this as encroaching on its economic and political interests.
The crisis comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding European technology regulation and digital laws, particularly after the European Union adopted legislation such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict standards on technology companies. Washington has sometimes viewed this as encroaching on its economic and political interests.
The question remains: how will these sanctions affect strategic cooperation between Washington and Brussels on sensitive issues such as digital security and international trade? Observers say the crisis could increase tensions and weaken coordination between traditional partners.
