The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.
Analysts 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.
