The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members 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 dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
