Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa condemned the sanctions imposed by the USA on some European officials, reaffirming the EU's commitment to protecting freedom of expression.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that the European Union will continue to protect freedom of expression, reacting to the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration against five European personalities, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton. Von der Leyen emphasized the importance of freedom of expression as a foundation of European democracy.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, characterized the sanctions as "unacceptable" among allies and reaffirmed the EU's commitment to defending fair rules in the digital sector. The sanctions target personalities involved in technology regulation and combating online disinformation, and Breton denounced them as a "witch hunt."

These actions reflect the tensions between the US and the EU regarding digital regulations.