The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut 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 federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing 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 cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
