EU equates US with China and Russia on cybersecurity issues - FT
Similar security measures are applied during trips to China (Photo: Getty Images)
The European Commission is issuing disposable phones and basic laptops to some employees traveling to the United States to avoid the risk of espionage. The attitude towards the US as a potential security threat highlights how much relations have worsened since Donald Trump's return to the presidency, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Three European commissioners will travel to Washington for the IMF and World Bank meetings from April 21 to 26: Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Economics; Maria Luis Albuquerque, head of the financial services department; and Jozef Síkela, responsible for development aid. They have been given new instructions.
Officials said that the guidelines for all staff traveling to the US include a recommendation to turn off phones at the border and place them in special cases to protect them from espionage if they are left unattended.
According to sources, these measures are similar to those applied during trips to Ukraine and China, where standard computer sets cannot be brought due to concerns about Russian or Chinese surveillance.
The view of the US as a potential security threat underscores how much relations have deteriorated since Donald Trump's return to the presidency in January. He accused the EU of being created to plunder the US.
At the same time, Trump made hints at Russia, pressured Ukraine to transfer control over its assets, temporarily suspended military aid, and threatened to withdraw security guarantees from Europe, encouraging rearmament efforts across the continent.
"The transatlantic alliance is over," an EU official stated.
Brussels and Washington are conducting delicate negotiations in several areas, where each side seeks to gather information about the other.
By the way
As reported by the Financial Times, European tourists and researchers have been denied entry into the US after comments on social media or documents criticizing the Trump administration were found on their phones or laptops.
In March, the French government stated that a French researcher was denied entry and sent back to France because he expressed a personal opinion regarding US research policy.
'Spy mania'
Recently, US intelligence revealed that China has been attempting to recruit American civil servants. The intelligence noted that these efforts have become more sophisticated and are targeting individuals with experience in the US government who are currently job hunting.
