🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans 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 exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker 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 comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans 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 exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker 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 comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.