The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts 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 strategies.
