The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, 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 have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
