European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated.
European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been central to efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies.
“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism 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 who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
