EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
