EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says

The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.

European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’

European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies.

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

Broad Criticism From EU Nations

Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in condemning the move.

The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.

This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.

Additional Updates Reported Today

In related legal news:

• A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
• The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities.

Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.

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