The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts 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 decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
