🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.