🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, 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 contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, 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 contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.