🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.