🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.