🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.