Brussels warned that it will respond swiftly and decisively if necessary to defend its own regulatory autonomy against what it calls "unjust measures."
National governments also voiced their opinions. French President Macron described it as intimidation and coercion undermining European digital sovereignty. Additionally, the German Ministry of Justice and other European leaders expressed their disapproval of the US move.
Last week, the United States denied entry to five Europeans. According to Washington, these are individuals who allegedly censored American opinions online.
The US measure targets five people involved in online safety who fight against hate speech and disinformation. Among them is Thierry Breton, a former EU Commissioner. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the travel bans.
According to Rubio, the individuals "led organized attempts" to force American platforms to censor, demonize, or suppress viewpoints. He referred to "radical activists" and organizations that, in his view, promoted foreign censorship. The US government states it will no longer tolerate such actions.
At the heart of the conflict is European digital legislation. The Digital Services Act in particular is seen by Washington as an instrument leading to censorship. Breton is described by US authorities as one of the driving forces behind these rules.
The European Commission emphasizes that freedom of expression is a fundamental value within the European Union. At the same time, it states that the EU has the sovereign right to regulate its internal market and establish rules for large online platforms without discrimination and within democratic frameworks.
The US move is viewed in Europe as a clear escalation between allies. What the next step will be remains unclear. The European Commission says it will continue talks with the United States but does not rule out countermeasures.