The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “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 condemning the decision.
The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
