EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
