EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States

The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said.

EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’

European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.

“For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 joined the French president in criticizing the decision.

The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation.

This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe.

Other Developments in the News

In other legal developments:

• A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
• A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.

Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.

Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.