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

The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.

EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’

Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies.

“For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”

Broad Criticism Across Europe

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

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

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation.

This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.

Additional Updates Reported Today

In other legal news:

• A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
• A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington.

Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital.

Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.