Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesOfficials from the EU were annoyed by the decision of the Biden administration to keep its ban on European travel indefinitely. They also wondered if the U.S. should have met the same reciprocity requirements as China.Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, announced Monday that the ban would be maintained citing concerns over the Delta variant. This surprised European officials in part because the EU's vaccination rates have now exceeded those in the U.S.However, Brussels has not made a fuss about it, EU diplomats and officials said. They see no advantage in creating tension between the Americans, as Europe faces an unpredictable new wave coronavirus infections.Officials in Brussels stated that they are not focusing on the fact that the Delta variant is rapidly spreading across the EU, but whether it will force them to impose their own restrictions. This step has so far been deemed unnecessary.Officials were not outraged by the lack of public outrage and expressed disappointment at the White House's inability to fulfill its promises to lift the travel ban.The EU added the U.S.A to its green list in June, allowing even unvaccinated travellers to enter the EU. On a trip to Paris later that month, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken stated that the administration wanted to lift the ban as soon possible, but did not specify a date.A few days later Alejandro Mayorkas, the U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security, attended a EU-USA ministerial meeting at Lisbon. There, officials made a joint statement stating that both sides had committed to reopen secure travel between the United States of America and the EU Member States as soon possible. This was based on scientific evidence, mutual cooperation and efficient operation of international travel systems.A senior EU official said that the U.S. refusal of lifting its ban was a big disappointment, especially since Alex Mayorkas had given us hope.The official stated that one possible consequence is that few EU commissioners will follow through on plans for September visits to the U.S., which is a traditional month for high level diplomatic meetings surrounding the opening of UN General Assembly.Another senior official stated that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, had undermined the EU's ability to demand reciprocity with the United States by hurrying to announce the lifting of restrictions on U.S. tourists even before the EU's member countries officially approved the move.Adalbert Jahnz (spokesman for the Commission) stated that negotiations with Washington were ongoing at a Tuesday news conference.Jahnz stated that we have been assured by the U.S. government that this is a top priority issue. We are working in good faith with the U.S., he said.However, EU officials admit that Washington did not give them any warnings before Psaki's Monday comments. They also said that they were surprised by U.S. travel warnings urging against visiting several European countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus.Although relations between Washington and Brussels have improved significantly since President Joe Biden assumed office in January to replace Donald Trump, officials stated that the U.S. was not ready to work in full collaboration on the travel issue. They said that the Commission was primarily focused on increasing vaccination rates in Europe and had little incentive to criticize bans or closures in countries outside of the EU's common travel area.POLITICOPOLITICO
