EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government 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 supported the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
