🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. 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 Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. 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 Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.