European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment 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 will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.