Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a blunt message to European leaders on Tuesday: toughen travel restrictions from Ebola-hit African nations or risk new U.S. curbs on trans-Atlantic travel, including during the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament. The warning came during a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as the Trump administration seeks to tighten the cordon around the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The State Department confirmed the call, stating in a release that Rubio and von der Leyen discussed “U.S. and European coordination and response efforts to the Ebola outbreak.” The department added that its “highest priority and focus remain protecting the health of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores.”
A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was more pointed: “The U.S. has stepped up to confront the outbreak. Now the world must do more to step up as well.” The official said the administration is seeking “commonsense restrictions on travel from the affected area” and financial contributions to combat the disease. Without such action, the official hinted, trans-Atlantic travel—including the nearly six-week World Cup, which opens Thursday in Mexico with the U.S. hosting most games—could face new U.S. regulations.
The U.S. has already banned entry for travelers who have been in an affected country within the past three weeks and is implementing quarantine protocols for returning American citizens. But the administration argues Europe is not doing enough, especially given the volume of direct flights: fewer than 100 daily flights connect Africa and the U.S., while over 300 daily flights link Europe and the United States.
The U.S. has contributed more than $200 million to contain the outbreak since it was first confirmed last month. The European Union announced Tuesday it was adding €16.5 million ($19 million) to its Ebola response, on top of €15 million ($17.3 million) previously allocated. The EU delegation in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Rubio’s call.
Democrats have criticized the administration’s handling of the outbreak, particularly the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). During congressional hearings last week, Rubio defended the moves, arguing that early detection programs have been folded into health agreements with African nations and that “the response has been very quick.”
The outbreak comes as the U.S. faces other public health challenges, including a screwworm outbreak in Texas threatening livestock. Experts argue that containment at the source is the only effective Ebola strategy, making international cooperation critical.
With the World Cup drawing global attention, the administration is leveraging the event to pressure Europe. “It’s time for action,” the State Department official said. “Without it, travel will be affected.”
