🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.