The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In other judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
