EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were imposed this week on a former EU 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.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens 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 seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.