The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
