🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.