🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.