🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.