The Trump administration is considering imposing sanctions—likely in the form of visa restrictions—on European Union or member state officials responsible for implementing the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), according to people familiar with internal discussions.
A final decision has not been made, but senior State Department officials held meetings on the issue last week, sources said. Any such step would mark an unusual use of US sanctions tools against officials over a regulatory measure and would add to already strained transatlantic ties.
The DSA is the EU’s flagship online safety law, designed to require large platforms to tackle illegal content, including hate speech and child sexual abuse material, while setting obligations on risk management, transparency and access to data for researchers. The European Commission rejects suggestions that the law curbs free expression. “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in the EU. It lies at the heart of the DSA,” a Commission spokesperson has said, calling censorship claims “completely unfounded.”
Washington argues the DSA imposes undue burdens on American technology companies and enhances curbs on speech, particularly in the context of efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation. A US State Department spokesperson said the United States is “monitoring increasing censorship in Europe with great concern,” while declining to confirm potential punitive steps.
Which EU or national officials might be targeted remains unclear. However, consideration of visa measures follows a series of actions and statements by US officials critical of European digital regulation this year. On 4 August, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed US diplomats in Europe to engage regularly with governments and digital services authorities to build opposition to the DSA or secure changes, according to a Reuters report on an internal cable. In May, Rubio also threatened visa bans for foreign officials who “censor” Americans, suggesting the policy could extend to regulators of US tech platforms.
President Donald Trump has separately threatened to impose additional tariffs and potential export restrictions on countries that maintain “digital taxes, legislation, rules, or regulations” he describes as discriminatory against US technology firms. He revived investigations earlier this year into foreign digital tax regimes and, on Monday, warned of “substantial” new duties if such measures are not withdrawn.
Sanctioning foreign officials over a domestic regulatory framework would be rare. The prospect underscores the extent to which digital policy has become a flashpoint in US–EU relations, alongside tariffs and trade talks. Markets commentary has already flagged renewed tensions around digital rules and trade threats in recent days.
The administration has cited free-speech concerns in other cases abroad. In July, the United States sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the criminal case against former President Jair Bolsonaro, accusing him of arbitrary detentions and suppressing expression. Moraes has said he will continue in his role. The action was taken under the Global Magnitsky framework, which enables sanctions for corruption or serious human rights abuse.
European officials have defended the DSA to US lawmakers as a competition and safety measure, arguing that the framework keeps digital markets open and is not targeted at US companies. US platform operators, including Meta, have maintained that the law functions as censorship on their services. The Commission says the DSA includes safeguards to protect freedom of expression and access to information while addressing illegal content online.
If Washington proceeds with visa restrictions, implementation mechanics and scope would be central. Past US measures have used immigration law to deny entry to specified categories of officials deemed to have engaged in activities contrary to US interests or values. It is not yet known whether any action related to the DSA would focus on EU-level regulators, national digital services coordinators, or individual officials linked to enforcement decisions against specific platforms.
The EU has not commented on the prospect of sanctions against its officials. The Commission reiterates that the DSA’s obligations—such as risk assessments, mitigation measures, independent audits and data access—are designed to make online spaces safer while preserving rights. With negotiations on wider trade matters ongoing and the United States signalling further tariff moves on digital policy grounds, any US visa action would likely prompt a formal response from Brussels and from member states whose officials are affected.
For now, the question is whether Washington converts its warnings into policy. The State Department has said only that it continues to monitor the situation. EU officials, for their part, maintain that enforcement under the DSA will proceed as planned, with major platforms expected to meet obligations set out in EU law.
First published on EU Global News.
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