🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.