🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for 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 restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for 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 restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.