EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
