European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting 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 US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In related judicial developments:
- A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
