The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
