EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
