🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement 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 related judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated 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 New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement 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 related judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated 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 New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.