Trump puts European officials and others on blast.
The Donald J. Trump administration is mulling a US ‘travel ban’ for the European Union officials that are responsible for the bloc’s Digital Services Act, as well as considering ‘additional tariffs’ on countries with similar laws, which Trump says ‘discriminate against American companies’.
The Telegraph reported:
“The State Department is considering placing sanctions which may come in the form of visa restrictions on those behind the legislation as the US government continues to fight against what it sees as an attempt to silence conservative voices.
US officials held a meeting on the issue last week and are yet to make a decision on whether to press ahead with the sanctions.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations ‘are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology’.
“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies. Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology. They also, outrageously, give a complete pass to China’s largest Tech Companies.
This must end, and end NOW! With this TRUTH, I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country’s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips. America, and American Technology Companies, are neither the “piggy bank” nor the “doormat” of the World any longer. Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or, consider the consequences! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The US has reportedly directed its diplomats in Europe to launch a lobbying campaign to oppose the Digital Services Act.
“US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously threatened visa bans for people who ‘censor’ speech by Americans, including on social media, and suggested the policy could target foreign officials regulating US tech companies.”
The UK Labour Government is also under fire for the ‘Online Safety Act’, seen as ‘Orwellian’.
During his visit to Scotland last month, Trump heard British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the bill, and insist that the UK would protect free speech.
“It comes as Nigel Farage prepares to tell [imprisoned for a tweet] Lucy Connolly’s story when he testifies to members of Congress in September about threats to freedom of expression in Britain.”
Read more:
Trump Administration Warns UK’s Censorship-Mad PM Starmer Not to Threaten US Tech Companies With His ‘Online Safety Act’
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