🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept 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 stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept 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 stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.