European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation Across Europe
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.