The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
