🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.