🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were central to campaigns to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were central to campaigns to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.