🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.