🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “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 supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “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 supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.