Legit question: why is this a bad thing (from Europe's perspective)? I have some thoughts, and I can certainly understand the blow to the US ego (I don't mean this in a bad way, I just know we've gotten used to traveling basically anywhere we want with few obstacles), but I'm genuinely curious as to why this is a bad thing from an EU standpoint. Reduction of tourist dollars?
Passports are even a stretch and now they want an online application and facial recognition to enter? Can’t wait to hear what’s next on the docket. https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/european-travel-authorization-delayed-etias-passports-982e7511
Discussion
From my point of view, passports/visa’s are unnecessary and an infringement on our basic human rights. So I believe adding more obstacles for people to jump through will have a negative effect and encourage more restrictions in the future. I’d also say that facial recognition is already widely adopted so adding it to this process is just overkill at this point.