US Sanctions against the EU

Published in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
(Germany) on 29 May 2025
by Andreas Ross (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Michael Stehle. Edited by Patricia Simoni.
Democracies can argue over where freedom of speech ends; however, Marco Rubio’s approach against 'censorship' in Europe has nothing to do with that.

Donald Trump was recently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and vowed that America would never again dictate how to live to other people. The president encouraged Arab autocrats to "chart the destinies" of their nations “in your own way.” But that doesn’t mean that his government would let its European partners get away with implementing their democratically passed laws.

The announcement made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio refusing entry visas to “censors” in Europe, aimed at social network regulators, amounts to sanctions against the EU.

Germany? A Tyranny to Rubio

Free societies can unquestionably argue over where the limits of freedom of speech lie. This can also be seen in the lively debates held in Germany about constitutional protection and a possible procedure banning the Alternative for Germany [Party]. Nevertheless, Rubio has long maintained that Germany is a “tyranny.”

The 54-year-old former Trump rival does not want to hand over the almost 79-year-old patriarch’s MAGA movement to 40-year-old Vice President JD Vance without a fight. The visa practice gives him the leverage to portray himself as a tough guy in the fight against the allegedly “woke” — that is to say, Trump-critical — universities.

He is only undermining what is actually his most important task: that of maintaining America’s global strength by cultivating alliances.


Demokratien können darüber streiten, wo die Meinungsfreiheit endet. Marco Rubios Vorgehen gegen „Zensur“ in Europa aber hat damit nichts zu tun.

Kürzlich stand Donald Trump im Königreich Saudi-Arabien und gelobte, Amerika werde nie wieder anderen Völkern vorschreiben, wie sie zu leben hätten. Der Präsident ermunterte arabische Alleinherrscher, die Zukunft ihrer Nationen „auf Ihre Weise“ zu gestalten. Das heißt aber nicht, dass seine Regierung es europäischen Partnern durchgehen ließe, ihre demokratisch verabschiedeten Gesetze durchzusetzen.

Die auf die Regulierer von sozialen Netzwerken gemünzte Ankündigung von Außenminister Marco Rubio, „Zensoren“ in Europa Einreisevisa zu verweigern, läuft auf Sanktionen gegen die EU hinaus.

Deutschland? Für Rubio eine Tyrannei

Freie Gesellschaften können fraglos darüber streiten, wo die Grenzen der Meinungsfreiheit verlaufen. Das zeigt sich ebenso in der auch hierzulande lebhaft geführten Debatte über den Verfassungsschutz und ein mögliches AfD-Verbotsverfahren. Für Rubio steht dennoch längst fest, dass Deutschland eine „Tyrannei“ sei.

Der 54 Jahre alte einstige Trump-Rivale will die MAGA-Bewegung des fast 79 Jahre alten Patriarchen nicht kampflos dem vierzigjährigen Vizepräsidenten J. D. Vance überlassen. Die Visapraxis gibt ihm den Hebel, um sich auch im Kampf gegen die angeblich „woken“, vulgo trumpkritischen Universitäten als harter Mann zu inszenieren.
Seiner eigentlich wichtigsten Aufgabe, Amerikas globale Stärke durch Bündnispflege zu bewahren, schadet er nur.
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

Hot this week

Germany: If You’re Not for Him, You Should Be Afraid*

Austria: Trump Is Playing with Fire. Does He Want the Whole House To Go up in Flames?

Germany: LA Protests: Why Are So Many Mexican Flags Flying in the US?

Switzerland: Trump’s Military Contingent in Los Angeles Is Disproportionate and Dangerous

   

India: What if Trump Has Just Started Another ‘Forever War’?

Topics

India: What if Trump Has Just Started Another ‘Forever War’?

Russia: Will the US Intervene in an Iran-Israel Conflict? Political Analyst Weighs the Odds*

Cuba: Summit between Wars and Other Disruptions

Germany: Resistance to Trump’s Violence Is Justified

Germany: LA Protests: Why Are So Many Mexican Flags Flying in the US?

Spain: Trump-Musk: Affair, Breakup and Reconciliation?

Switzerland: Trump’s Military Contingent in Los Angeles Is Disproportionate and Dangerous

   

Germany: If You’re Not for Him, You Should Be Afraid*

Related Articles

Hong Kong: Amid US Democracy’s Moral Unraveling, Hong Kong’s Role in the Soft Power Struggle

Taiwan: The Beginning of a Post-Hegemonic Era: A New Normal for International Relations

Venezuela: Trump’s Foreign Policy

Australia: Trump Misfires Again in His War on the World

Poland: Trump Sets up Power Directorate: Brussels No Longer Rules Europe