The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand 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 foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
