🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.