French president Emmanuel Macron has formally requested that his counterpart Donald Trump end the sanctions targeting European officials, arguing that the measures undermine judicial independence and European Union regulatory authority. The measures include visa restrictions.
Those affected include former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and an International Criminal Court (ICC) judge. The U.S. State Department accused Breton of supporting “censorship” at the expense of U.S. interests while playing a key role in drafting the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates large technology platforms. As a result, he has been barred from entering the United States since December 2025. Macron argued, however, that the legislation is not discriminatory and applies equally to all companies operating in Europe.
Nicolas Guillou was sanctioned by the United States in August 2025, along with other ICC judges, for participating in the issuance of an arrest warrant against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The French president described the sanctions as disproportionate, saying they threaten judicial independence and the regulatory sovereignty of the EU.
Macron emphasised that dialogue and a review of restrictive measures are necessary to maintain strong transatlantic relations.
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