European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says

The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said.

European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’

European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms.

“For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”

Broad Criticism Across Europe

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

The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK.

An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation

The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods.

This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe.

Other Developments Reported Today

In other judicial news:

• A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
• Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
• The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities.

Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.

Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.