EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other judicial developments:
- A federal 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 “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
