EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says

The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated.

EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’

European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms.

“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”

Widespread Condemnation Across Europe

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

The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom.

A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation

This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.

This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions.

Other Developments in the News

In related legal news:

• 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 judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
• Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative.
• The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with Washington.

Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.

Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.