The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial developments:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
