🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.