🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.