The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
