Macron Criticizes U.S. Ban on European Officials: “Intimidation and Coercion”

France Criticizes U.S. Ban on European Officials and Defends Digital Sovereignty

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the U.S. decision to ban former European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton and four other European officials from entering the country. Macron wrote on platform “X” that France rejects “imposing visa restrictions on European officials,” stressing that the measure constitutes pressure on the European Union’s digital sovereignty.

Macron noted that the Digital Services Act, drafted through a democratic process by the European Council and the European Parliament, aims to ensure fair competition among digital platforms, and that rules governing the European digital space should be decided within Europe. He added that Paris will continue, in cooperation with the European Commission and EU member states, to defend EU digital sovereignty, describing the ban as “an act of intimidation and coercion.”

France condemns the visa restriction measures taken by the United States against Thierry Breton and four other European figures.

These measures amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty.…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 24, 2025

Thierry Breton responded to the U.S. decision by questioning whether “McCarthyism” is returning, referring to a historical U.S. policy that targeted the political left. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrau also criticized the measure, reaffirming Paris’ support for European officials and the EU’s legislative process for digital regulation.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force on November 1, 2022, and began implementation across the EU in May 2023. The legislation aims to promote fairness and competitiveness in European digital markets, with major companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and X placed under direct supervision to ensure compliance with the new rules.

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