The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “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 supported France in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, 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 rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In related judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
