EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official stated.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For far 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. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
