The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
