European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says

The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.

European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’

Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies.

“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”

Broad Criticism Across Europe

Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision.

The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.

This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.

Other Developments Reported Today

In other legal news:

• A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
• The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.

Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.

Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.