🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. 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 align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. 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 align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.