🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints 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.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled 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 prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints 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.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled 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 prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.