Macron and EU Condemn US Sanctions Targeting Thierry Breton and European Leaders

On December 24, French President Emmanuel Macron and the European Union vehemently condemned the United States’ imposition of travel sanctions against Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner responsible for internal market regulation, and four other European personalities.

Macron criticized the US measures on social media platform X as "intimidation and coercion" aimed against European digital sovereignty. He underscored that the EU’s digital regulation, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), was created through a democratic process involving the European Parliament and Council with the goal of ensuring fair competition among digital platforms without targeting any third countries.

The European Commission expressed firm condemnation of these sanctions, describing them as unjustified. It demanded explanations from US authorities over the imposed travel restrictions and reaffirmed its commitment to defending European regulatory autonomy. EU officials emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the sovereign right of member states to regulate their digital economies per democratic principles.

Thierry Breton himself denounced the sanctions as reminiscent of "McCarthyism," highlighting the broad support for the DSA which was backed by 90% of the European Parliament and all EU member states. He and his successor Stéphane Séjourné both affirmed solidarity in resisting what they see as undue interference from the US, reinforcing the message that no sanctions will undermine European sovereignty.

This diplomatic dispute spotlights growing tensions over digital governance and regulatory independence between the US and Europe, with France leading vocal opposition to actions perceived as undermining EU legislative authority.