🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on 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 viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on 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 viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.