The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other judicial developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
