The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related legal news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, 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 return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
