French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised visa restriction measures imposed by the United States on former European Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other European figures, describing the move as an attack on Europe’s digital independence.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Macron said, “France condemns the visa restriction measures taken by the United States against Thierry Breton and four other European figures.”
He argued that the action amounted to pressure on Europe’s regulatory framework, stating, “These measures amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty.”
Macron stressed that the European Union’s digital laws were adopted through legitimate democratic channels. “The European Union’s digital regulations were adopted following a democratic and sovereign process by the European Parliament and the Council,” he said.
He added that the rules were designed to apply fairly within Europe, not to single out any country. “They apply within Europe to ensure fair competition among platforms, without targeting any third country, and to ensure that what is illegal offline is also illegal online,” Macron said.
The French President also pushed back against any external influence over EU digital policy, saying, “The rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe.”
Macron said France would work closely with European institutions and partners to resist such pressure. “Together with the European Commission and our European partners, we will continue to defend our digital sovereignty and our regulatory autonomy,” he added.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
About the Author
