The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions 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 criticizing the move.
The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other judicial developments:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
