The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European 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 Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat 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 legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
