🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.