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

The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said.

European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’

European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms.

“For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”

Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations

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

The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance

This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation.

This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe.

Other Developments in the News

In other judicial developments:

• A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
• Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
• A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.

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

Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.