EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting 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 Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.
Other Developments in the News
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
