The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In related judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
