🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.