The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate 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 enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
