The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In related judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
