European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision.
The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
