The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
