EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In related judicial developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
