The European Commission has issued a one -use card and simple laptops to some executives who are going to travel to the United States in order to avoid the risk of espionage, a measure that until recently only applied on trips to China.

According to them Financial Times citing four sources, the commissioners and senior officials who will go to the Spring Synods of the IMF and World Bank next week have received instructions.

The same sources have said that these measures are similar to those applied to trips to Ukraine and China, where the transport of usual technological equipment due to fears for Russia or China is prohibited.

“They are worried that the US can access the committee’s systems,” one official said.

The move highlights how much EU and US relations have deteriorated after Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January.

Trump, who has accused the EU That was created to “exploit the US”, announced the imposition of 20% on EU exports, a percentage that then reduced by half for 90 days.

At the same time, it has made openings to Russia, pressured Ukraine to hand over its assets, temporarily suspending military assistance, while threatening to lift security guarantees to Europe, which led the EU to open the debate.

“The transatlantic alliance is over,” said a fifth EU official.

Brussels and Washington are in negotiations in many areas, and both sides may have sought to collect information on each other.

EU Commissioner Maros Sefkovic is meeting for talks with US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnik, in Washington on Monday in an attempt to resolve the commercial dispute.

The EU It has delayed the implementation of US exports of € 21 billion, which had been approved by US duties to steel and aluminum.

The US has also criticized the EU For regulations on its US technology companies, accusing Brussels of limiting freedom of speech and altering elections.

Three Commissioners will go to Washington for IMF and World Bank meetings from April 21st to April 26: Economics Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, Financial Services Head Maria Luís Albuquerque and Developmental Assistance Head.

The Commission confirmed that the security instructions were recently updated, but refused to comment on details. He said that the EU diplomatic service participated, as is usually the case with such updates.

Officials have said that new guidelines to all those traveling to the US include recommendation to disable their border phones and place them in special protection pockets from possible surveillance when they do not supervise them.

An additional risk in the US is the right of border authorities to seize visitors’ phones and computers and control their content.