The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision.
The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other judicial developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
