The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
