🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.