EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were central to efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand 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 align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
