EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods.
This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates in the News
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with 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 memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital.
Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
