European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says

The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.

EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’

European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.

“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”

Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations

Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision.

The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.

This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions.

Other Developments Reported Today

In related legal developments:

• A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
• A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.

Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital.

Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.