The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In related legal news:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
