European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move.
The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four 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, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
