European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the decision.
The restrictions were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related judicial news:
- A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
