🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate 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 criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. 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 will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate 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 criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. 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 will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.