🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.