The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
