🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.