EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official States

The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.

European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’

Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms.

“For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”

Broad Criticism Across Europe

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

The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance

This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.

This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions.

Additional Updates in the News

In related legal developments:

• A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an active border security initiative.
• The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.

Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.

Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.