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

The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.

European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’

Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing 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 online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.”

Widespread Condemnation Across Europe

Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move.

The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.

A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation

The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.

This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.

Other Developments in the News

In other legal developments:

• A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
• A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.

Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital.

Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.