EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States

The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.

European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’

European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies.

“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “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 criticizing the move.

The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.

A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation

This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.

This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.

Other Developments in the News

In related legal developments:

• A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active border security initiative.
• The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.

Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.

Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.