The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions 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 imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
