The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
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 bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
