The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
