The European Union and some member States reacted sharply Wednesday (December 24, 2025) to U.S. sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European commissioner Thierry Breton. Mr. Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, often clashed with tycoons including Elon Musk over their obligations to follow E.U. 'Intimidation and coercion'French President Emmanuel Macron said on X: "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," he added, saying Europe would defend its "regulatory autonomy". A GDI spokesperson said the measures were "an egregious act of government censorship" as well as "immoral, unlawful, and un-American".

Source: The Hindu December 25, 2025 14:21 UTC