The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
