President’s administration Donald Trump He is considering imposing sanctions To the officials of the European Union or of the member states responsible for applying the historical Digital Services Law (DSA), as explained by two familiar sources with the matter to Reuters. The sanctions would respond to the complaints of USA that the pioneer censures Americans and imposes costs on their technology companies.
Such a measure would be an unprecedented action that would intensify the struggle of the Trump administration against what he considers an attempt to Europa of suppressing conservative voices.
The senior officials of the State Department have not yet made a definitive decision on whether to continue with the punitive measures, which would probably adopt the form of restrictions of alwaysaccording to sources.
It is not clear to which officials of the UE Or from the EU Member States, the measure would be directed, but US officials held internal meetings on the subject last week, according to the sources.
Although commercial partners frequently complain about national standards that they consider unfairly restrictive, it is very rare that government officials be sanctioned for this type of regulations. The relationship between the Trump administration and the EU is already deteriorated by the tariff threats and the tense negotiations, as well as the criticisms of USA to the treatment that American technology companies receive.
Citing an internal cable of the State Department, Reuters reported this month that the Trump administration has instructed US diplomats in Europe to threw a pressure campaign in order to generate opposition to the DSA, in an attempt to modify or repeal it.
The EU DSA aims to make the online environment safer, partly forcing technological giants to take more measures to combat illegal contents, including Hate speeches and the material of Child sexual abuse.
Washington has affirmed that the EU is imposing “undue” restrictions on freedom of expression in its fight against hate discourse, misinformation and erroneous information, and that the DSA further reinforces these restrictions.
In the Directive of early August, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US diplomats to meet periodically with EU governments and digital service authorities to convey US concerns about DSA and financial costs for US companies.
In May, Rubio threatened to ban visas to people who “censor” the discourse of Americans, even on social networks, and suggested that policy could address foreign officials regulating US technology companies.
A state department spokesman did not confirm or denied Reuters information about possible punitive measures.
“We are following with great concern the increase in censorship in Europe, but we have no more information to provide at this time,” said the spokesman in an email.
A spokesman for the European Commission refused to comment on the possibility of sanctions, but he had previously described the accusations of censorship by the United States as “completely unfounded.”
«Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in the EU. It is one of the DSA pillars, ”said the spokesman. “It establishes rules for online intermediaries to fight illegal contents, while protecting freedom of expression and information on the Internet.”
“Censorship” to Americans
The Trump administration has generally moved away from the traditional promotion of democracy and human rights by the United States, focusing instead on trying to close bilateral commercial agreements. However, he has defended selective causes, particularly those related to right -wing politicians and what he considers a silencing of conservative voices on the Internet.
Washington imposed sanctions on a Judge of the Brazilian Supreme Court who supervised the trial of the Trump ally and former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, accusing the judge of authorizing arbitrary preventive arrests and suppressing freedom of expression.
The most striking has been the interference of administration in the internal policy of European allies. Trump officials have denounced what they consider a repression of right -wing leaders, among others in Romania, Germany and France, and have accused European authorities of censoring opinions such as criticism of immigration.
High American officials, including vice president JD Vance, have repeatedly lashed out against European officials and regulations, accusing them of “censoring” Americans, an affirmation that the EU rejects.
In February, at a conference known for showing the transatlantic unit, Vance surprised European leaders by accusing them of censoring the speech of groups such as the German extreme right -wing party AFD and of retreating in terms of democracy.
Those responsible for EU competition and technology explained to US legislators in March that the new technological regulations aims to keep digital markets open and are not aimed at US companies.
American social media companies, such as Platforms goal, owner of Facebook and Instagram, have claimed that the DSA is censorship of their platforms.
