EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says
The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other judicial developments:
- A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
