EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid 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 ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
