EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
