🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe 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 involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe 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 involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.