European Commission condemns US decision on visa sanctions against 5 European citizens, including former European Commissioner

The European Commission said it strongly condemned the US decision to impose travel restrictions on five European citizens, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a shared core value with the US across the democratic world. The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international obligations," the European Commission said in a statement on its website.

The EC stressed that EU digital rules ensure a safe, fair and level playing field for all companies, applied fairly and without discrimination.

"We have sought clarification from the US authorities and continue to cooperate. If necessary, we will react swiftly and decisively to protect our regulatory autonomy from unjustified measures," the statement said.

The US State Department has previously banned five Europeans from entering the US, accusing them of leading "efforts to pressure technology companies to censor or suppress American views".

"For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organized efforts to force American platforms to punish American views they oppose. The Trump administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X.

Rubio added that US officials are "ready and willing to expand this list if others do not change course".