The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week 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.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
