The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- 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 active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
