🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.