🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.