The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
