The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
