EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “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 supported the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation
The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe.
Additional Updates in the News
In related legal developments:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.
Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.