European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
