European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government 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 joined the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.