I’m not talking credit cards here…..
In a game of ‘Tit For Tat’, the EU is threatening to impose VISA requirements for Americans who wish to visit Europe. The specifics of the threat have not been spelled out, but preparations may be taking place.
This threat comes on the heels of a recent Bill adopted by the House Of Representatives that would impose visa requirements on EU citizens that since March 2011 had visited Sudan, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The logic behind this potential legislation is to scrutinize the flow of persons into the US that may have recently visited countries that are potentially complicit in state sponsored terrorism. The EU is obviously opposed to this measure, thus the threat to return the favor.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the damaging implications something like this would have on tourism and business.
The vast majority of EU nations (23 of 28) currently enjoy the visa waiver program with the US. I’m fairly certain that a knee-jerk reaction such as this will come with more unintended consequences than benefits. Tourism and Businesses will obviously suffer the greatest consequences, but I guess thats not important……
When will the inmates stop running the asylum?
Heck I was just wanting Brazil and the USA to get rid of the visa requirements. I guess I’d be OK with the EU requiring US citizens that since March 2011 had visited Sudan, Syria, Iraq, and Iran to get a visa. That would make the most sense on this road.
That would mean any US military personnel deployed to Iraq or Syria could get hit by that..
“That would mean any US military personnel deployed to Iraq or Syria could get hit by that..”
And what about UK personnel (on Op SHADER) likewise – will they get hit by the HoR Bill? If so, I would support a bit of tit for tat 😉
It’s to be seen how soon it will be until the Schengen countries do an ESTA/ETA/evisa for visitors to the Schengen countries. The US government would welcome such a move from the EU/EEA, along with an EU//EEA/Schengen-wide APIS/PNR surveillance regime.
Please stop writing visa in big letters. It’s not a credit card you’re writing about.