🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.