European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge 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 holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
