EU Commission slams Trump’s travel ban

In a joint statement issued on Thursday 12 March, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Michel condemned the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a European travel ban without consulting his counterparts in Europe.

“The Coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action. The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation. The European Union is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus,” read the joint statement.

Donald Trump’s sudden decision to impose the ban in an effort to mitigate further impact of the coronavirus has created chaos in airports and affected the business and personal schedules of millions.

“I made a very tough decision last night and a very tough decision a long time ago with respect to China,” Trump said. “I don’t want people dying, and that’s why I made these decisions.” 

The travel ban will apply for 30 days from midnight on Friday and does not apply to American citizens or legal permanent residents of the US and their close family members.

The UK is exempt from the ban