EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official stated.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish 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 Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number 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 seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital.
Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
