🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.