European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official States
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.
EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’
Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.
“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK.
A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance
This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.
This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.
Other Developments Reported Today
In other legal news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
- Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation.
- The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
