EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision.
The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.
This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
