🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.