EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation 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 on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other legal developments:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.